EMT Salary

Duluth vs Lakeville: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

Compare emergency medical technician salaries between Duluth, MN and Lakeville, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Duluth, MN
$38,148
$18.34/hr
Lakeville, MN
$45,542
$21.89/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDuluth, MNLakeville, MN
Median Salary$38,148$45,542
Hourly Rate$18.34$21.89
Entry Level (P10)$25,175$36,343
25th Percentile$29,640$39,612
75th Percentile$52,275$50,107
Top Earner (P90)$53,693$66,051
Total Employed15015
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Duluth ($38,148) and Lakeville ($45,542) emergency medical technician salaries.DuluthLakevilleMedian Salary$38,148$45,542Entry Level (P10)$25,175$36,343Top Earner (P90)$53,693$66,051US Median $47,058

Verdict

Lakeville, MN offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Duluth.

The salary gap between Duluth and Lakeville is $7,394 (19.38%). Lakeville's median is -3.22% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Duluth spans $28,518,Lakeville spans $29,708. Lakeville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced emergency medical technicians.

Duluth
P10 (Entry)$25,175
P25$29,640
Median$38,148
P75$52,275
P90 (Top)$53,693
Lakeville
P10 (Entry)$36,343
P25$39,612
Median$45,542
P75$50,107
P90 (Top)$66,051

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lakeville ($46,236 effective) pays 7.59% more than Duluth ($42,975 effective).

Duluth
Nominal: $38,148
CoL Index: 88.768
Adjusted: $42,975
Lakeville
Nominal: $45,542
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $46,236

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Duluth if…

  • Larger job market (150 employed)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Lakeville if…

  • Higher median salary ($45,542/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($66,051)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $46,236)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Duluth grew 25.7% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 11.2% growth in Lakeville over the same period.

Duluth, MN

+25.7%

$28,690 (2021) → $36,050 (2025)

Lakeville, MN

+11.2%

$38,711 (2024) → $43,037 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Duluth or Lakeville?

Lakeville has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $45,542/year, compared to Duluth at $38,148/year — a difference of $7,394 (19.38%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Duluth and Lakeville?

Duluth emergency medical technicians earn $18.34/hr while Lakeville hygienists earn $21.89/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Duluth to Lakeville as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Duluth and Lakeville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Duluth = $42,975, Lakeville = $46,236), job availability (150 vs 15 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Duluth vs Lakeville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $25,175 in Duluth and $36,343 in Lakeville. The Lakeville area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AP

Written by Aisha Patel, EMT-P

Career Analyst

Aisha has 10 years of experience as an emergency medical technician. She specializes in pre-hospital care and triage. Aisha works primarily in urban emergency services.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Mendoza, EMT-BData verified by Fatima Ali, EMT-I

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.82% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, EMT-P, a licensed emergency medical technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov