EMT Salary

Rochester vs Troy: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

Compare emergency medical technician salaries between Rochester, NY and Troy, NY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Rochester, NY
$45,852
$22.04/hr
Troy, NY
$47,613
$22.89/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRochester, NYTroy, NY
Median Salary$45,852$47,613
Hourly Rate$22.04$22.89
Entry Level (P10)$39,545$36,320
25th Percentile$41,100$40,120
75th Percentile$48,021$53,931
Top Earner (P90)$50,952$67,050
Total Employed65011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Rochester ($45,852) and Troy ($47,613) emergency medical technician salaries.RochesterTroyMedian Salary$45,852$47,613Entry Level (P10)$39,545$36,320Top Earner (P90)$50,952$67,050US Median $47,058

Verdict

Troy, NY offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Rochester.

The salary gap between Rochester and Troy is $1,761 (3.84%). Troy's median is +1.18% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Rochester spans $11,407,Troy spans $30,730. Troy has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced emergency medical technicians.

Rochester
P10 (Entry)$39,545
P25$41,100
Median$45,852
P75$48,021
P90 (Top)$50,952
Troy
P10 (Entry)$36,320
P25$40,120
Median$47,613
P75$53,931
P90 (Top)$67,050

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rochester ($47,253 effective) pays 15.02% more than Troy ($41,081 effective).

Rochester
Nominal: $45,852
CoL Index: 97.035
Adjusted: $47,253
Troy
Nominal: $47,613
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $41,081

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Rochester if…

  • Larger job market (650 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,253)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose Troy if…

  • Higher median salary ($47,613/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($67,050)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Rochester grew 44.9% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -16.4% growth in Troy over the same period.

Rochester, NY

+44.9%

$29,910 (2021) → $43,330 (2025)

Troy, NY

+-16.4%

$53,826 (2024) → $44,994 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Rochester or Troy?

Troy has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $47,613/year, compared to Rochester at $45,852/year — a difference of $1,761 (3.84%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Rochester and Troy?

Rochester emergency medical technicians earn $22.04/hr while Troy hygienists earn $22.89/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Rochester to Troy as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Rochester and Troy. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Rochester = $47,253, Troy = $41,081), job availability (650 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Rochester vs Troy?

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $39,545 in Rochester and $36,320 in Troy. The Rochester 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