EMT Salary

Medford vs Pendleton: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

Compare emergency medical technician salaries between Medford, OR and Pendleton, OR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Medford, OR
$51,280
$24.66/hr
Pendleton, OR
$49,262
$23.68/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMedford, ORPendleton, OR
Median Salary$51,280$49,262
Hourly Rate$24.66$23.68
Entry Level (P10)$37,820$40,104
25th Percentile$48,487$42,945
75th Percentile$63,714$54,260
Top Earner (P90)$65,058$63,603
Total Employed1705
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Medford ($51,280) and Pendleton ($49,262) emergency medical technician salaries.MedfordPendletonMedian Salary$51,280$49,262Entry Level (P10)$37,820$40,104Top Earner (P90)$65,058$63,603US Median $47,058

Verdict

Medford, OR offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Pendleton.

The salary gap between Medford and Pendleton is $2,018 (4.10%). Medford's median is +8.97% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Medford spans $27,238,Pendleton spans $23,499. Medford has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Medford
P10 (Entry)$37,820
P25$48,487
Median$51,280
P75$63,714
P90 (Top)$65,058
Pendleton
P10 (Entry)$40,104
P25$42,945
Median$49,262
P75$54,260
P90 (Top)$63,603

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Medford ($50,556 effective) pays 5.29% more than Pendleton ($48,014 effective).

Medford
Nominal: $51,280
CoL Index: 101.433
Adjusted: $50,556
Pendleton
Nominal: $49,262
CoL Index: 102.6
Adjusted: $48,014

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Medford if…

  • Higher median salary ($51,280/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($65,058)
  • Larger job market (170 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $50,556)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Choose Pendleton if…

  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Medford grew 13.6% from 2022 to 2025, compared to -1.6% growth in Pendleton over the same period.

Medford, OR

+13.6%

$42,650 (2022) → $48,460 (2025)

Pendleton, OR

+-1.6%

$47,310 (2024) → $46,553 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Medford or Pendleton?

Medford has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $51,280/year, compared to Pendleton at $49,262/year — a difference of $2,018 (4.10%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Medford and Pendleton?

Medford emergency medical technicians earn $24.66/hr while Pendleton hygienists earn $23.68/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Medford to Pendleton as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Medford and Pendleton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Medford = $50,556, Pendleton = $48,014), job availability (170 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Medford vs Pendleton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $37,820 in Medford and $40,104 in Pendleton. The Pendleton 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