Hilo vs Urban Honolulu: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)
Compare emergency medical technician salaries between Hilo, HI and Urban Honolulu, HI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Hilo, HI | Urban Honolulu, HI |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $53,274 | $70,952▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $25.61 | $34.12▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,640 | $54,931▲ |
| 25th Percentile | $46,129 | $64,011▲ |
| 75th Percentile | $60,045 | $89,545▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $73,516 | $89,545▲ |
| Total Employed | 7 | 460▲ |
Verdict
Urban Honolulu, HI offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Hilo.
The salary gap between Hilo and Urban Honolulu is $17,678 (33.18%). Urban Honolulu's median is +50.78% compared to the US national median of $47,058.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hilo spans $30,876,Urban Honolulu spans $34,614. Urban Honolulu has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced emergency medical technicians.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Urban Honolulu ($63,943 effective) pays 43.19% more than Hilo ($44,655 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Hilo if…
- ✓You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle
Choose Urban Honolulu if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($70,952/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($89,545)
- ✓Larger job market (460 employed)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $63,943)
- ✓You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Hilo grew -7.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 14.3% growth in Urban Honolulu over the same period.
Hilo, HI
$54,340 (2024) → $50,344 (2025)
Urban Honolulu, HI
$58,640 (2021) → $67,050 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Urban Honolulu, HI
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Hilo or Urban Honolulu?
What is the hourly rate difference between Hilo and Urban Honolulu?
Should I relocate from Hilo to Urban Honolulu as a emergency medical technician?
What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Hilo vs Urban Honolulu?
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.
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