EMT Salary

Lansing vs Pontiac: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

Compare emergency medical technician salaries between Lansing, MI and Pontiac, MI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Lansing, MI
$42,265
$20.32/hr
Pontiac, MI
$39,888
$19.17/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLansing, MIPontiac, MI
Median Salary$42,265$39,888
Hourly Rate$20.32$19.17
Entry Level (P10)$39,333$30,784
25th Percentile$40,899$33,878
75th Percentile$47,757$44,576
Top Earner (P90)$51,026$55,163
Total Employed19012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lansing ($42,265) and Pontiac ($39,888) emergency medical technician salaries.LansingPontiacMedian Salary$42,265$39,888Entry Level (P10)$39,333$30,784Top Earner (P90)$51,026$55,163US Median $47,058

Verdict

Lansing, MI offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Pontiac.

The salary gap between Lansing and Pontiac is $2,377 (5.96%). Lansing's median is -10.19% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Lansing spans $11,693,Pontiac spans $24,379. Pontiac has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced emergency medical technicians.

Lansing
P10 (Entry)$39,333
P25$40,899
Median$42,265
P75$47,757
P90 (Top)$51,026
Pontiac
P10 (Entry)$30,784
P25$33,878
Median$39,888
P75$44,576
P90 (Top)$55,163

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lansing ($44,494 effective) pays 3.96% more than Pontiac ($42,798 effective).

Lansing
Nominal: $42,265
CoL Index: 94.991
Adjusted: $44,494
Pontiac
Nominal: $39,888
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $42,798

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Lansing if…

  • Higher median salary ($42,265/year)
  • Larger job market (190 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $44,494)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Pontiac if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($55,163)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Lansing grew 10.5% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 10.2% growth in Pontiac over the same period.

Lansing, MI

+10.5%

$36,150 (2021) → $39,940 (2025)

Pontiac, MI

+10.2%

$34,199 (2024) → $37,694 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Lansing or Pontiac?

Lansing has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $42,265/year, compared to Pontiac at $39,888/year — a difference of $2,377 (5.96%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lansing and Pontiac?

Lansing emergency medical technicians earn $20.32/hr while Pontiac hygienists earn $19.17/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Lansing to Pontiac as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lansing and Pontiac. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lansing = $44,494, Pontiac = $42,798), job availability (190 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Lansing vs Pontiac?

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $39,333 in Lansing and $30,784 in Pontiac. The Lansing 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