EMT Salary

Hartford vs Stratford: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

Compare emergency medical technician salaries between Hartford, CT and Stratford, CT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Hartford, CT
$51,259
$24.65/hr
Stratford, CT
$54,970
$26.42/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHartford, CTStratford, CT
Median Salary$51,259$54,970
Hourly Rate$24.65$26.42
Entry Level (P10)$41,312$40,243
25th Percentile$44,296$48,350
75th Percentile$56,540$60,998
Top Earner (P90)$61,725$75,300
Total Employed67013
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hartford ($51,259) and Stratford ($54,970) emergency medical technician salaries.HartfordStratfordMedian Salary$51,259$54,970Entry Level (P10)$41,312$40,243Top Earner (P90)$61,725$75,300US Median $47,058

Verdict

Stratford, CT offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Hartford.

The salary gap between Hartford and Stratford is $3,711 (7.24%). Stratford's median is +16.81% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hartford spans $20,413,Stratford spans $35,057. Stratford has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced emergency medical technicians.

Hartford
P10 (Entry)$41,312
P25$44,296
Median$51,259
P75$56,540
P90 (Top)$61,725
Stratford
P10 (Entry)$40,243
P25$48,350
Median$54,970
P75$60,998
P90 (Top)$75,300

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Stratford ($50,945 effective) pays 2.12% more than Hartford ($49,889 effective).

Hartford
Nominal: $51,259
CoL Index: 102.746
Adjusted: $49,889
Stratford
Nominal: $54,970
CoL Index: 107.9
Adjusted: $50,945

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hartford if…

  • Larger job market (670 employed)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Choose Stratford if…

  • Higher median salary ($54,970/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($75,300)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $50,945)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Hartford grew 31.6% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 10.5% growth in Stratford over the same period.

Hartford, CT

+31.6%

$36,820 (2021) → $48,440 (2025)

Stratford, CT

+10.5%

$47,029 (2024) → $51,947 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Hartford or Stratford?

Stratford has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $54,970/year, compared to Hartford at $51,259/year — a difference of $3,711 (7.24%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hartford and Stratford?

Hartford emergency medical technicians earn $24.65/hr while Stratford hygienists earn $26.42/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hartford to Stratford as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hartford and Stratford. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hartford = $49,889, Stratford = $50,945), job availability (670 vs 13 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Hartford vs Stratford?

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $41,312 in Hartford and $40,243 in Stratford. The Hartford 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