EMT Salary

Morgantown vs Parkersburg: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

Compare emergency medical technician salaries between Morgantown, WV and Parkersburg, WV. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Morgantown, WV
$34,868
$16.76/hr
Parkersburg, WV
$34,984
$16.81/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMorgantown, WVParkersburg, WV
Median Salary$34,868$34,984
Hourly Rate$16.76$16.81
Entry Level (P10)$30,529$29,076
25th Percentile$30,952$31,196
75th Percentile$39,672$39,500
Top Earner (P90)$51,587$48,565
Total Employed605
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Morgantown ($34,868) and Parkersburg ($34,984) emergency medical technician salaries.MorgantownParkersburgMedian Salary$34,868$34,984Entry Level (P10)$30,529$29,076Top Earner (P90)$51,587$48,565US Median $47,058

Verdict

Morgantown and Parkersburg are closely matched on overall emergency medical technician compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Morgantown and Parkersburg is $116 (0.33%). Parkersburg's median is -25.66% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Morgantown spans $21,058,Parkersburg spans $19,489. Morgantown has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Morgantown
P10 (Entry)$30,529
P25$30,952
Median$34,868
P75$39,672
P90 (Top)$51,587
Parkersburg
P10 (Entry)$29,076
P25$31,196
Median$34,984
P75$39,500
P90 (Top)$48,565

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Parkersburg ($40,444 effective) pays 8.25% more than Morgantown ($37,363 effective).

Morgantown
Nominal: $34,868
CoL Index: 93.323
Adjusted: $37,363
Parkersburg
Nominal: $34,984
CoL Index: 86.5
Adjusted: $40,444

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Morgantown if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($51,587)
  • Larger job market (60 employed)
  • You prefer the West Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Parkersburg if…

  • Higher median salary ($34,984/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $40,444)
  • You prefer the West Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Morgantown grew 3.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 20.6% growth in Parkersburg over the same period.

Morgantown, WV

+3.9%

$31,700 (2024) → $32,950 (2025)

Parkersburg, WV

+20.6%

$27,420 (2021) → $33,060 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Morgantown or Parkersburg?

Parkersburg has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $34,984/year, compared to Morgantown at $34,868/year — a difference of $116 (0.33%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Morgantown and Parkersburg?

Morgantown emergency medical technicians earn $16.76/hr while Parkersburg hygienists earn $16.81/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Morgantown to Parkersburg as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Morgantown and Parkersburg. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Morgantown = $37,363, Parkersburg = $40,444), job availability (60 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Morgantown vs Parkersburg?

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $30,529 in Morgantown and $29,076 in Parkersburg. The Morgantown 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