EMT Salary

Madison vs Pleasant Prairie: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

Compare emergency medical technician salaries between Madison, WI and Pleasant Prairie, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Madison, WI
$46,698
$22.46/hr
Pleasant Prairie, WI
$46,439
$22.33/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMadison, WIPleasant Prairie, WI
Median Salary$46,698$46,439
Hourly Rate$22.46$22.33
Entry Level (P10)$37,026$36,902
25th Percentile$40,741$39,826
75th Percentile$52,264$50,515
Top Earner (P90)$62,550$63,296
Total Employed5204
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Madison ($46,698) and Pleasant Prairie ($46,439) emergency medical technician salaries.MadisonPleasant PrairieMedian Salary$46,698$46,439Entry Level (P10)$37,026$36,902Top Earner (P90)$62,550$63,296US Median $47,058

Verdict

Madison, WI offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Pleasant Prairie.

The salary gap between Madison and Pleasant Prairie is $259 (0.56%). Madison's median is -0.77% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Madison spans $25,524,Pleasant Prairie spans $26,394. Pleasant Prairie has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced emergency medical technicians.

Madison
P10 (Entry)$37,026
P25$40,741
Median$46,698
P75$52,264
P90 (Top)$62,550
Pleasant Prairie
P10 (Entry)$36,902
P25$39,826
Median$46,439
P75$50,515
P90 (Top)$63,296

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Pleasant Prairie ($49,721 effective) pays 3.58% more than Madison ($48,000 effective).

Madison
Nominal: $46,698
CoL Index: 97.287
Adjusted: $48,000
Pleasant Prairie
Nominal: $46,439
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $49,721

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Madison if…

  • Higher median salary ($46,698/year)
  • Larger job market (520 employed)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Pleasant Prairie if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($63,296)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,721)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Madison grew 49.5% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 30.2% growth in Pleasant Prairie over the same period.

Madison, WI

+49.5%

$29,510 (2021) → $44,130 (2025)

Pleasant Prairie, WI

+30.2%

$33,713 (2024) → $43,885 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Madison or Pleasant Prairie?

Madison has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $46,698/year, compared to Pleasant Prairie at $46,439/year — a difference of $259 (0.56%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Madison and Pleasant Prairie?

Madison emergency medical technicians earn $22.46/hr while Pleasant Prairie hygienists earn $22.33/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Madison to Pleasant Prairie as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Madison and Pleasant Prairie. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Madison = $48,000, Pleasant Prairie = $49,721), job availability (520 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Madison vs Pleasant Prairie?

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $37,026 in Madison and $36,902 in Pleasant Prairie. The Madison 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