EMT Salary

Newton vs Worcester: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

Compare emergency medical technician salaries between Newton, MA and Worcester, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Newton, MA
$53,072
$25.51/hr
Worcester, MA
$53,503
$25.72/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNewton, MAWorcester, MA
Median Salary$53,072$53,503
Hourly Rate$25.51$25.72
Entry Level (P10)$42,366$41,196
25th Percentile$44,969$49,640
75th Percentile$60,364$53,503
Top Earner (P90)$75,154$60,360
Total Employed16440
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Newton ($53,072) and Worcester ($53,503) emergency medical technician salaries.NewtonWorcesterMedian Salary$53,072$53,503Entry Level (P10)$42,366$41,196Top Earner (P90)$75,154$60,360US Median $47,058

Verdict

Worcester, MA offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Newton.

The salary gap between Newton and Worcester is $431 (0.81%). Worcester's median is +13.70% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Newton spans $32,788,Worcester spans $19,164. Newton has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Newton
P10 (Entry)$42,366
P25$44,969
Median$53,072
P75$60,364
P90 (Top)$75,154
Worcester
P10 (Entry)$41,196
P25$49,640
Median$53,503
P75$53,503
P90 (Top)$60,360

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Worcester ($52,186 effective) pays 6.69% more than Newton ($48,914 effective).

Newton
Nominal: $53,072
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $48,914
Worcester
Nominal: $53,503
CoL Index: 102.523
Adjusted: $52,186

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Newton if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($75,154)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Worcester if…

  • Higher median salary ($53,503/year)
  • Larger job market (440 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $52,186)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Newton grew -1.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 39.1% growth in Worcester over the same period.

Newton, MA

+-1.9%

$51,145 (2024) → $50,153 (2025)

Worcester, MA

+39.1%

$36,350 (2021) → $50,560 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Newton or Worcester?

Worcester has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $53,503/year, compared to Newton at $53,072/year — a difference of $431 (0.81%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Newton and Worcester?

Newton emergency medical technicians earn $25.51/hr while Worcester hygienists earn $25.72/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Newton to Worcester as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Newton and Worcester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Newton = $48,914, Worcester = $52,186), job availability (16 vs 440 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Newton vs Worcester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $42,366 in Newton and $41,196 in Worcester. The Newton 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