Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Nogales, AZ: $39,035 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Nogales, AZ earns a median $39,035/year (≈ $18.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Nogales's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $39,629 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.8% below the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Nogales, Arizona, an emergency medical technician can expect a median annual salary of $39,035 in 2026, which reflects a significant gap compared to the national median of $47,058. The local salary range varies widely, with the lowest ten percent earning around $30,459 and the highest reaching up to $50,257. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost differences. It's notable that EMTs working in municipal fire departments may see substantially higher pay than those employed by private ambulance services, highlighting the disparities shaped by employer types and operational structures within the city.
About the Nogales Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30,459 | $14.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35,487 | $17.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $39,035 | $18.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42,079 | $20.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50,257 | $24.16 |
Median Salary Position
17.05% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Nogales
In Nogales, AZ, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,798 (2026 est.). At $39,035, the local median is 17.05% below the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Nogales: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Nogales Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Nogales median: $39,035/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Nogales Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $41,438 | -5.80% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | -17.05% less |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Nogales, AZ earn a median of $39,035 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.05% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 5.80% below the Arizona state average of $41,438.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Nogales has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Nogales, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A emergency medical technician earning $39,035 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $39,629 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$29,422
2025 BLS Actual
$36,888
2026 Current Est.
$39,035
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Nogales (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $29,422 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,426 | Actual |
| 2023 | $32,293 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,115 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,888 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,035 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,307 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nogales metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $29,422 (2021) to $36,888 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $41,307 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,885 (40.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nogales metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.82% CAGR derived from 5-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $30,459 – $35,487 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $35,487 – $39,035 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $39,035 – $42,079 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $42,079 – $50,257 |
EMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual emergency medical technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Emergency Medical Technician Job Market in Nogales
While only five emergency medical technicians are employed in Nogales, the local job market presents unique challenges and opportunities. The area's cost-of-living index sits at 98.5, slightly below the national average, which ultimately impacts take-home purchasing power. Among the various employers, municipal fire departments typically offer more competitive wages compared to private ambulance companies like AMR and GMR, which have struggled to keep pace with inflation. Factors such as overtime opportunities, shift differentials, and pathways for advancement—from EMT to paramedic—also play critical roles in determining compensation. To maximize earnings in Nogales, aspiring EMS professionals should consider seeking employment with fire departments or exploring industrial medic positions, which tend to offer better pay and stability in a market where salary variance can be significant.
More salary data for Nogales, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can emergency medical technicians make $100K in Nogales?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $36,888 for emergency medical techniciansin the Nogales metropolitan area. A 5.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Nogales is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.82%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for emergency medical technicians (SOC 29-2042).
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