EMT Salary

Philadelphia vs Williamsport: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

Compare emergency medical technician salaries between Philadelphia, PA and Williamsport, PA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Philadelphia, PA
$50,571
$24.31/hr
Williamsport, PA
$41,862
$20.13/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPhiladelphia, PAWilliamsport, PA
Median Salary$50,571$41,862
Hourly Rate$24.31$20.13
Entry Level (P10)$40,730$34,169
25th Percentile$47,524$39,884
75th Percentile$57,439$46,603
Top Earner (P90)$64,508$49,598
Total Employed4,970110
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Philadelphia ($50,571) and Williamsport ($41,862) emergency medical technician salaries.PhiladelphiaWilliamsportMedian Salary$50,571$41,862Entry Level (P10)$40,730$34,169Top Earner (P90)$64,508$49,598US Median $47,058

Verdict

Philadelphia, PA offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Williamsport.

The salary gap between Philadelphia and Williamsport is $8,709 (20.80%). Philadelphia's median is +7.47% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Philadelphia spans $23,778,Williamsport spans $15,429. Philadelphia has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Philadelphia
P10 (Entry)$40,730
P25$47,524
Median$50,571
P75$57,439
P90 (Top)$64,508
Williamsport
P10 (Entry)$34,169
P25$39,884
Median$41,862
P75$46,603
P90 (Top)$49,598

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Philadelphia ($49,312 effective) pays 8.78% more than Williamsport ($45,330 effective).

Philadelphia
Nominal: $50,571
CoL Index: 102.554
Adjusted: $49,312
Williamsport
Nominal: $41,862
CoL Index: 92.35
Adjusted: $45,330

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Philadelphia if…

  • Higher median salary ($50,571/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($64,508)
  • Larger job market (4,970 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,312)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Choose Williamsport if…

  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Philadelphia grew 30.7% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 25.8% growth in Williamsport over the same period.

Philadelphia, PA

+30.7%

$36,570 (2021) → $47,790 (2025)

Williamsport, PA

+25.8%

$31,450 (2022) → $39,560 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Philadelphia or Williamsport?

Philadelphia has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $50,571/year, compared to Williamsport at $41,862/year — a difference of $8,709 (20.80%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Philadelphia and Williamsport?

Philadelphia emergency medical technicians earn $24.31/hr while Williamsport hygienists earn $20.13/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Philadelphia to Williamsport as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Philadelphia and Williamsport. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Philadelphia = $49,312, Williamsport = $45,330), job availability (4,970 vs 110 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Philadelphia vs Williamsport?

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $40,730 in Philadelphia and $34,169 in Williamsport. The Philadelphia 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