EMT Salary

Nogales vs Phoenix: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

Compare emergency medical technician salaries between Nogales, AZ and Phoenix, AZ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Nogales, AZ
$39,035
$18.76/hr
Phoenix, AZ
$41,799
$20.10/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNogales, AZPhoenix, AZ
Median Salary$39,035$41,799
Hourly Rate$18.76$20.10
Entry Level (P10)$30,459$35,831
25th Percentile$35,487$37,069
75th Percentile$42,079$51,164
Top Earner (P90)$50,257$52,550
Total Employed52,840
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Nogales ($39,035) and Phoenix ($41,799) emergency medical technician salaries.NogalesPhoenixMedian Salary$39,035$41,799Entry Level (P10)$30,459$35,831Top Earner (P90)$50,257$52,550US Median $47,058

Verdict

Phoenix, AZ offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Nogales.

The salary gap between Nogales and Phoenix is $2,764 (7.08%). Phoenix's median is -11.18% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Nogales spans $19,798,Phoenix spans $16,719. Nogales has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Nogales
P10 (Entry)$30,459
P25$35,487
Median$39,035
P75$42,079
P90 (Top)$50,257
Phoenix
P10 (Entry)$35,831
P25$37,069
Median$41,799
P75$51,164
P90 (Top)$52,550

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Phoenix ($40,457 effective) pays 2.09% more than Nogales ($39,629 effective).

Nogales
Nominal: $39,035
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $39,629
Phoenix
Nominal: $41,799
CoL Index: 103.316
Adjusted: $40,457

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Nogales if…

  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Choose Phoenix if…

  • Higher median salary ($41,799/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($52,550)
  • Larger job market (2,840 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $40,457)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Nogales grew -0.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 34.6% growth in Phoenix over the same period.

Nogales, AZ

+-0.6%

$37,115 (2024) → $36,888 (2025)

Phoenix, AZ

+34.6%

$29,340 (2021) → $39,500 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Nogales or Phoenix?

Phoenix has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $41,799/year, compared to Nogales at $39,035/year — a difference of $2,764 (7.08%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Nogales and Phoenix?

Nogales emergency medical technicians earn $18.76/hr while Phoenix hygienists earn $20.10/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Nogales to Phoenix as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Nogales and Phoenix. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Nogales = $39,629, Phoenix = $40,457), job availability (5 vs 2,840 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Nogales vs Phoenix?

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $30,459 in Nogales and $35,831 in Phoenix. The Phoenix 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