EMT Salary

Prescott Valley vs Surprise: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

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

Prescott Valley, AZ
$45,905
$22.07/hr
Surprise, AZ
$41,349
$19.88/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPrescott Valley, AZSurprise, AZ
Median Salary$45,905$41,349
Hourly Rate$22.07$19.88
Entry Level (P10)$35,143$32,102
25th Percentile$38,402$35,390
75th Percentile$53,429$47,298
Top Earner (P90)$64,645$59,387
Total Employed18031
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Prescott Valley ($45,905) and Surprise ($41,349) emergency medical technician salaries.Prescott ValleySurpriseMedian Salary$45,905$41,349Entry Level (P10)$35,143$32,102Top Earner (P90)$64,645$59,387US Median $47,058

Verdict

Prescott Valley, AZ offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Surprise.

The salary gap between Prescott Valley and Surprise is $4,556 (11.02%). Prescott Valley's median is -2.45% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Prescott Valley spans $29,502,Surprise spans $27,285. Prescott Valley has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Prescott Valley
P10 (Entry)$35,143
P25$38,402
Median$45,905
P75$53,429
P90 (Top)$64,645
Surprise
P10 (Entry)$32,102
P25$35,390
Median$41,349
P75$47,298
P90 (Top)$59,387

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Prescott Valley ($46,720 effective) pays 11.30% more than Surprise ($41,979 effective).

Prescott Valley
Nominal: $45,905
CoL Index: 98.255
Adjusted: $46,720
Surprise
Nominal: $41,349
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $41,979

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Prescott Valley if…

  • Higher median salary ($45,905/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($64,645)
  • Larger job market (180 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $46,720)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Choose Surprise if…

  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Prescott Valley grew 4.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -0.6% growth in Surprise over the same period.

Prescott Valley, AZ

+4.0%

$41,730 (2024) → $43,380 (2025)

Surprise, AZ

+-0.6%

$39,315 (2024) → $39,075 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Prescott Valley or Surprise?

Prescott Valley has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $45,905/year, compared to Surprise at $41,349/year — a difference of $4,556 (11.02%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Prescott Valley and Surprise?

Prescott Valley emergency medical technicians earn $22.07/hr while Surprise hygienists earn $19.88/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Prescott Valley to Surprise as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Prescott Valley and Surprise. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Prescott Valley = $46,720, Surprise = $41,979), job availability (180 vs 31 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Prescott Valley vs Surprise?

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $35,143 in Prescott Valley and $32,102 in Surprise. The Prescott Valley 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