EMT Salary

New Haven vs Shelton: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

Compare emergency medical technician salaries between New Haven, CT and Shelton, CT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

New Haven, CT
$56,550
$27.19/hr
Shelton, CT
$56,639
$27.23/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew Haven, CTShelton, CT
Median Salary$56,550$56,639
Hourly Rate$27.19$27.23
Entry Level (P10)$52,688$44,623
25th Percentile$54,645$48,518
75th Percentile$61,566$63,244
Top Earner (P90)$63,079$75,461
Total Employed49010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New Haven ($56,550) and Shelton ($56,639) emergency medical technician salaries.New HavenSheltonMedian Salary$56,550$56,639Entry Level (P10)$52,688$44,623Top Earner (P90)$63,079$75,461US Median $47,058

Verdict

Shelton, CT offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to New Haven.

The salary gap between New Haven and Shelton is $89 (0.16%). Shelton's median is +20.36% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New Haven spans $10,391,Shelton spans $30,838. Shelton has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced emergency medical technicians.

New Haven
P10 (Entry)$52,688
P25$54,645
Median$56,550
P75$61,566
P90 (Top)$63,079
Shelton
P10 (Entry)$44,623
P25$48,518
Median$56,639
P75$63,244
P90 (Top)$75,461

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New Haven ($54,084 effective) pays 3.03% more than Shelton ($52,492 effective).

New Haven
Nominal: $56,550
CoL Index: 104.559
Adjusted: $54,084
Shelton
Nominal: $56,639
CoL Index: 107.9
Adjusted: $52,492

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose New Haven if…

  • Larger job market (490 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $54,084)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Choose Shelton if…

  • Higher median salary ($56,639/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($75,461)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in New Haven grew 15.6% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 13.9% growth in Shelton over the same period.

New Haven, CT

+15.6%

$46,210 (2021) → $53,440 (2025)

Shelton, CT

+13.9%

$47,004 (2024) → $53,524 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: New Haven or Shelton?

Shelton has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $56,639/year, compared to New Haven at $56,550/year — a difference of $89 (0.16%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New Haven and Shelton?

New Haven emergency medical technicians earn $27.19/hr while Shelton hygienists earn $27.23/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from New Haven to Shelton as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing New Haven and Shelton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New Haven = $54,084, Shelton = $52,492), job availability (490 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in New Haven vs Shelton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $52,688 in New Haven and $44,623 in Shelton. The New Haven 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