EMT Salary

Norfolk vs Omaha: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

Compare emergency medical technician salaries between Norfolk, NE and Omaha, NE. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Norfolk, NE
$40,100
$19.28/hr
Omaha, NE
$43,757
$21.04/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNorfolk, NEOmaha, NE
Median Salary$40,100$43,757
Hourly Rate$19.28$21.04
Entry Level (P10)$33,798$38,974
25th Percentile$35,891$38,974
75th Percentile$44,165$51,598
Top Earner (P90)$53,288$72,667
Total Employed6250
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Norfolk ($40,100) and Omaha ($43,757) emergency medical technician salaries.NorfolkOmahaMedian Salary$40,100$43,757Entry Level (P10)$33,798$38,974Top Earner (P90)$53,288$72,667US Median $47,058

Verdict

Omaha, NE offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Norfolk.

The salary gap between Norfolk and Omaha is $3,657 (9.12%). Omaha's median is -7.01% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Norfolk spans $19,490,Omaha spans $33,693. Omaha has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced emergency medical technicians.

Norfolk
P10 (Entry)$33,798
P25$35,891
Median$40,100
P75$44,165
P90 (Top)$53,288
Omaha
P10 (Entry)$38,974
P25$38,974
Median$43,757
P75$51,598
P90 (Top)$72,667

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Omaha ($47,608 effective) pays 8.63% more than Norfolk ($43,825 effective).

Norfolk
Nominal: $40,100
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $43,825
Omaha
Nominal: $43,757
CoL Index: 91.911
Adjusted: $47,608

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Norfolk if…

  • You prefer the Nebraska area and lifestyle

Choose Omaha if…

  • Higher median salary ($43,757/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($72,667)
  • Larger job market (250 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,608)
  • You prefer the Nebraska area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Norfolk grew 30.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 14.4% growth in Omaha over the same period.

Norfolk, NE

+30.8%

$28,973 (2024) → $37,895 (2025)

Omaha, NE

+14.4%

$36,150 (2021) → $41,350 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Norfolk or Omaha?

Omaha has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $43,757/year, compared to Norfolk at $40,100/year — a difference of $3,657 (9.12%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Norfolk and Omaha?

Norfolk emergency medical technicians earn $19.28/hr while Omaha hygienists earn $21.04/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Norfolk to Omaha as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Norfolk and Omaha. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Norfolk = $43,825, Omaha = $47,608), job availability (6 vs 250 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Norfolk vs Omaha?

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $33,798 in Norfolk and $38,974 in Omaha. The Omaha 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