EMT Salary

Florence vs Lexington: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

Compare emergency medical technician salaries between Florence, KY and Lexington, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Florence, KY
$41,641
$20.02/hr
Lexington, KY
$46,201
$22.21/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFlorence, KYLexington, KY
Median Salary$41,641$46,201
Hourly Rate$20.02$22.21
Entry Level (P10)$32,868$31,556
25th Percentile$35,715$38,688
75th Percentile$45,643$68,667
Top Earner (P90)$55,550$68,667
Total Employed7240
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Florence ($41,641) and Lexington ($46,201) emergency medical technician salaries.FlorenceLexingtonMedian Salary$41,641$46,201Entry Level (P10)$32,868$31,556Top Earner (P90)$55,550$68,667US Median $47,058

Verdict

Lexington, KY offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Florence.

The salary gap between Florence and Lexington is $4,560 (10.95%). Lexington's median is -1.82% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Florence spans $22,682,Lexington spans $37,111. Lexington has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced emergency medical technicians.

Florence
P10 (Entry)$32,868
P25$35,715
Median$41,641
P75$45,643
P90 (Top)$55,550
Lexington
P10 (Entry)$31,556
P25$38,688
Median$46,201
P75$68,667
P90 (Top)$68,667

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lexington ($49,738 effective) pays 6.66% more than Florence ($46,630 effective).

Florence
Nominal: $41,641
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $46,630
Lexington
Nominal: $46,201
CoL Index: 92.889
Adjusted: $49,738

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Florence if…

  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Lexington if…

  • Higher median salary ($46,201/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($68,667)
  • Larger job market (240 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,738)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Florence grew 39.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 47.1% growth in Lexington over the same period.

Florence, KY

+39.0%

$28,316 (2024) → $39,351 (2025)

Lexington, KY

+47.1%

$29,690 (2021) → $43,660 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Florence or Lexington?

Lexington has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $46,201/year, compared to Florence at $41,641/year — a difference of $4,560 (10.95%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Florence and Lexington?

Florence emergency medical technicians earn $20.02/hr while Lexington hygienists earn $22.21/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Florence to Lexington as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Florence and Lexington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Florence = $46,630, Lexington = $49,738), job availability (7 vs 240 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Florence vs Lexington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $32,868 in Florence and $31,556 in Lexington. The Florence area offers higher starting salaries.
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