EMT Salary

Maryland Heights vs St. Louis: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

Compare emergency medical technician salaries between Maryland Heights, MO and St. Louis, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Maryland Heights, MO
$42,394
$20.38/hr
St. Louis, MO
$44,349
$21.32/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMaryland Heights, MOSt. Louis, MO
Median Salary$42,394$44,349
Hourly Rate$20.38$21.32
Entry Level (P10)$32,785$37,905
25th Percentile$35,894$39,196
75th Percentile$46,047$49,979
Top Earner (P90)$59,818$62,910
Total Employed51,550
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Maryland Heights ($42,394) and St. Louis ($44,349) emergency medical technician salaries.Maryland HeightsSt. LouisMedian Salary$42,394$44,349Entry Level (P10)$32,785$37,905Top Earner (P90)$59,818$62,910US Median $47,058

Verdict

St. Louis, MO offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Maryland Heights.

The salary gap between Maryland Heights and St. Louis is $1,955 (4.61%). St. Louis's median is -5.76% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Maryland Heights spans $27,033,St. Louis spans $25,005. Maryland Heights has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Maryland Heights
P10 (Entry)$32,785
P25$35,894
Median$42,394
P75$46,047
P90 (Top)$59,818
St. Louis
P10 (Entry)$37,905
P25$39,196
Median$44,349
P75$49,979
P90 (Top)$62,910

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Maryland Heights ($47,315 effective) pays 1.45% more than St. Louis ($46,640 effective).

Maryland Heights
Nominal: $42,394
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $47,315
St. Louis
Nominal: $44,349
CoL Index: 95.088
Adjusted: $46,640

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Maryland Heights if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,315)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose St. Louis if…

  • Higher median salary ($44,349/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($62,910)
  • Larger job market (1,550 employed)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Maryland Heights grew 33.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 42.9% growth in St. Louis over the same period.

Maryland Heights, MO

+33.9%

$29,920 (2024) → $40,062 (2025)

St. Louis, MO

+42.9%

$29,330 (2021) → $41,910 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Maryland Heights or St. Louis?

St. Louis has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $44,349/year, compared to Maryland Heights at $42,394/year — a difference of $1,955 (4.61%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Maryland Heights and St. Louis?

Maryland Heights emergency medical technicians earn $20.38/hr while St. Louis hygienists earn $21.32/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Maryland Heights to St. Louis as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Maryland Heights and St. Louis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Maryland Heights = $47,315, St. Louis = $46,640), job availability (5 vs 1,550 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Maryland Heights vs St. Louis?

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $32,785 in Maryland Heights and $37,905 in St. Louis. The St. Louis 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