EMT Salary

Newark vs Wilmington: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

Compare emergency medical technician salaries between Newark, DE and Wilmington, DE. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Newark, DE
$47,549
$22.86/hr
Wilmington, DE
$51,435
$24.73/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNewark, DEWilmington, DE
Median Salary$47,549$51,435
Hourly Rate$22.86$24.73
Entry Level (P10)$37,744$39,012
25th Percentile$40,940$43,172
75th Percentile$52,272$57,045
Top Earner (P90)$63,682$70,145
Total Employed510
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Newark ($47,549) and Wilmington ($51,435) emergency medical technician salaries.NewarkWilmingtonMedian Salary$47,549$51,435Entry Level (P10)$37,744$39,012Top Earner (P90)$63,682$70,145US Median $47,058

Verdict

Wilmington, DE offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Newark.

The salary gap between Newark and Wilmington is $3,886 (8.17%). Wilmington's median is +9.30% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Newark spans $25,938,Wilmington spans $31,133. Wilmington has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced emergency medical technicians.

Newark
P10 (Entry)$37,744
P25$40,940
Median$47,549
P75$52,272
P90 (Top)$63,682
Wilmington
P10 (Entry)$39,012
P25$43,172
Median$51,435
P75$57,045
P90 (Top)$70,145

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Wilmington ($50,575 effective) pays 8.17% more than Newark ($46,754 effective).

Newark
Nominal: $47,549
CoL Index: 101.7
Adjusted: $46,754
Wilmington
Nominal: $51,435
CoL Index: 101.7
Adjusted: $50,575

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Newark if…

  • You prefer the Delaware area and lifestyle

Choose Wilmington if…

  • Higher median salary ($51,435/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($70,145)
  • Larger job market (10 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $50,575)
  • You prefer the Delaware area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Newark grew 11.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 18.7% growth in Wilmington over the same period.

Newark, DE

+11.2%

$40,418 (2024) → $44,934 (2025)

Wilmington, DE

+18.7%

$40,961 (2024) → $48,606 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Newark or Wilmington?

Wilmington has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $51,435/year, compared to Newark at $47,549/year — a difference of $3,886 (8.17%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Newark and Wilmington?

Newark emergency medical technicians earn $22.86/hr while Wilmington hygienists earn $24.73/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Newark to Wilmington as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Newark and Wilmington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Newark = $46,754, Wilmington = $50,575), job availability (5 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Newark vs Wilmington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $37,744 in Newark and $39,012 in Wilmington. The Wilmington 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