EMT Salary

Middletown vs Rochester: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

Compare emergency medical technician salaries between Middletown, NY and Rochester, NY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Middletown, NY
$44,180
$21.24/hr
Rochester, NY
$45,852
$22.04/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMiddletown, NYRochester, NY
Median Salary$44,180$45,852
Hourly Rate$21.24$22.04
Entry Level (P10)$36,685$39,545
25th Percentile$38,250$41,100
75th Percentile$49,725$48,021
Top Earner (P90)$61,070$50,952
Total Employed7650
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Middletown ($44,180) and Rochester ($45,852) emergency medical technician salaries.MiddletownRochesterMedian Salary$44,180$45,852Entry Level (P10)$36,685$39,545Top Earner (P90)$61,070$50,952US Median $47,058

Verdict

Rochester, NY offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Middletown.

The salary gap between Middletown and Rochester is $1,672 (3.78%). Rochester's median is -2.56% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Middletown spans $24,385,Rochester spans $11,407. Middletown has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Middletown
P10 (Entry)$36,685
P25$38,250
Median$44,180
P75$49,725
P90 (Top)$61,070
Rochester
P10 (Entry)$39,545
P25$41,100
Median$45,852
P75$48,021
P90 (Top)$50,952

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rochester ($47,253 effective) pays 23.96% more than Middletown ($38,119 effective).

Middletown
Nominal: $44,180
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $38,119
Rochester
Nominal: $45,852
CoL Index: 97.035
Adjusted: $47,253

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Middletown if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($61,070)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose Rochester if…

  • Higher median salary ($45,852/year)
  • Larger job market (650 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,253)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Middletown grew -19.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 44.9% growth in Rochester over the same period.

Middletown, NY

+-19.0%

$51,530 (2024) → $41,750 (2025)

Rochester, NY

+44.9%

$29,910 (2021) → $43,330 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Middletown or Rochester?

Rochester has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $45,852/year, compared to Middletown at $44,180/year — a difference of $1,672 (3.78%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Middletown and Rochester?

Middletown emergency medical technicians earn $21.24/hr while Rochester hygienists earn $22.04/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Middletown to Rochester as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Middletown and Rochester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Middletown = $38,119, Rochester = $47,253), job availability (7 vs 650 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Middletown vs Rochester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $36,685 in Middletown and $39,545 in Rochester. The Rochester 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