EMT Salary

Wilson vs Winston: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

Compare emergency medical technician salaries between Wilson, NC and Winston, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Wilson, NC
$46,445
$22.33/hr
Winston, NC
$47,471
$22.83/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricWilson, NCWinston, NC
Median Salary$46,445$47,471
Hourly Rate$22.33$22.83
Entry Level (P10)$37,941$34,243
25th Percentile$40,782$39,302
75th Percentile$52,898$50,444
Top Earner (P90)$63,350$61,365
Total Employed7480
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Wilson ($46,445) and Winston ($47,471) emergency medical technician salaries.WilsonWinstonMedian Salary$46,445$47,471Entry Level (P10)$37,941$34,243Top Earner (P90)$63,350$61,365US Median $47,058

Verdict

Winston, NC offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Wilson.

The salary gap between Wilson and Winston is $1,026 (2.21%). Winston's median is +0.88% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Wilson spans $25,409,Winston spans $27,122. Winston has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced emergency medical technicians.

Wilson
P10 (Entry)$37,941
P25$40,782
Median$46,445
P75$52,898
P90 (Top)$63,350
Winston
P10 (Entry)$34,243
P25$39,302
Median$47,471
P75$50,444
P90 (Top)$61,365

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Winston ($51,575 effective) pays 3.94% more than Wilson ($49,621 effective).

Wilson
Nominal: $46,445
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $49,621
Winston
Nominal: $47,471
CoL Index: 92.043
Adjusted: $51,575

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Wilson if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($63,350)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Winston if…

  • Higher median salary ($47,471/year)
  • Larger job market (480 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $51,575)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Wilson grew 35.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 27.2% growth in Winston over the same period.

Wilson, NC

+35.9%

$32,302 (2024) → $43,891 (2025)

Winston, NC

+27.2%

$35,260 (2021) → $44,860 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Wilson or Winston?

Winston has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $47,471/year, compared to Wilson at $46,445/year — a difference of $1,026 (2.21%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Wilson and Winston?

Wilson emergency medical technicians earn $22.33/hr while Winston hygienists earn $22.83/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Wilson to Winston as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Wilson and Winston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Wilson = $49,621, Winston = $51,575), job availability (7 vs 480 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Wilson vs Winston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $37,941 in Wilson and $34,243 in Winston. The Wilson 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