EMT Salary

Norman vs Tulsa: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

Compare emergency medical technician salaries between Norman, OK and Tulsa, OK. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Norman, OK
$42,400
$20.38/hr
Tulsa, OK
$30,000
$14.42/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNorman, OKTulsa, OK
Median Salary$42,400$30,000
Hourly Rate$20.38$14.42
Entry Level (P10)$30,623$29,841
25th Percentile$37,072$29,852
75th Percentile$47,666$37,936
Top Earner (P90)$59,492$45,227
Total Employed22460
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Norman ($42,400) and Tulsa ($30,000) emergency medical technician salaries.NormanTulsaMedian Salary$42,400$30,000Entry Level (P10)$30,623$29,841Top Earner (P90)$59,492$45,227US Median $47,058

Verdict

Norman, OK offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Tulsa.

The salary gap between Norman and Tulsa is $12,400 (41.33%). Norman's median is -9.90% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Norman spans $28,869,Tulsa spans $15,386. Norman has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Norman
P10 (Entry)$30,623
P25$37,072
Median$42,400
P75$47,666
P90 (Top)$59,492
Tulsa
P10 (Entry)$29,841
P25$29,852
Median$30,000
P75$37,936
P90 (Top)$45,227

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Norman ($47,694 effective) pays 41.83% more than Tulsa ($33,627 effective).

Norman
Nominal: $42,400
CoL Index: 88.9
Adjusted: $47,694
Tulsa
Nominal: $30,000
CoL Index: 89.214
Adjusted: $33,627

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Norman if…

  • Higher median salary ($42,400/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($59,492)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,694)
  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Choose Tulsa if…

  • Larger job market (460 employed)
  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Norman grew 39.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -3.9% growth in Tulsa over the same period.

Norman, OK

+39.0%

$28,832 (2024) → $40,068 (2025)

Tulsa, OK

+-3.9%

$29,490 (2021) → $28,350 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Norman or Tulsa?

Norman has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $42,400/year, compared to Tulsa at $30,000/year — a difference of $12,400 (41.33%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Norman and Tulsa?

Norman emergency medical technicians earn $20.38/hr while Tulsa hygienists earn $14.42/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Norman to Tulsa as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Norman and Tulsa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Norman = $47,694, Tulsa = $33,627), job availability (22 vs 460 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Norman vs Tulsa?

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $30,623 in Norman and $29,841 in Tulsa. The Norman 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