EMT Salary

Hampton vs Roanoke: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

Compare emergency medical technician salaries between Hampton, VA and Roanoke, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Hampton, VA
$46,980
$22.58/hr
Roanoke, VA
$44,116
$21.21/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHampton, VARoanoke, VA
Median Salary$46,980$44,116
Hourly Rate$22.58$21.21
Entry Level (P10)$36,549$37,746
25th Percentile$40,268$42,974
75th Percentile$54,837$49,471
Top Earner (P90)$67,575$55,492
Total Employed24170
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hampton ($46,980) and Roanoke ($44,116) emergency medical technician salaries.HamptonRoanokeMedian Salary$46,980$44,116Entry Level (P10)$36,549$37,746Top Earner (P90)$67,575$55,492US Median $47,058

Verdict

Hampton, VA offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Roanoke.

The salary gap between Hampton and Roanoke is $2,864 (6.49%). Hampton's median is -0.17% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hampton spans $31,026,Roanoke spans $17,746. Hampton has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Hampton
P10 (Entry)$36,549
P25$40,268
Median$46,980
P75$54,837
P90 (Top)$67,575
Roanoke
P10 (Entry)$37,746
P25$42,974
Median$44,116
P75$49,471
P90 (Top)$55,492

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Roanoke ($47,123 effective) pays 3.52% more than Hampton ($45,523 effective).

Hampton
Nominal: $46,980
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $45,523
Roanoke
Nominal: $44,116
CoL Index: 93.618
Adjusted: $47,123

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hampton if…

  • Higher median salary ($46,980/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($67,575)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Roanoke if…

  • Larger job market (170 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,123)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Hampton grew 13.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 43.9% growth in Roanoke over the same period.

Hampton, VA

+13.3%

$39,172 (2024) → $44,396 (2025)

Roanoke, VA

+43.9%

$28,980 (2021) → $41,690 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Hampton or Roanoke?

Hampton has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $46,980/year, compared to Roanoke at $44,116/year — a difference of $2,864 (6.49%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hampton and Roanoke?

Hampton emergency medical technicians earn $22.58/hr while Roanoke hygienists earn $21.21/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hampton to Roanoke as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hampton and Roanoke. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hampton = $45,523, Roanoke = $47,123), job availability (24 vs 170 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Hampton vs Roanoke?

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $36,549 in Hampton and $37,746 in Roanoke. The Roanoke 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