Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Sierra Vista, AZ: $39,873 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Sierra Vista, AZ earns a median $39,873/year (≈ $19.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Sierra Vista's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.2), that paycheck buys what $44,679 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Arizona state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Sierra Vista, Arizona, emergency medical technicians can anticipate a median annual salary of $39,873 in 2026, which is significantly lower than the national median of $47,058 for the same year, positioning local EMTs 15.27% below the national average. Salaries in this field range from $32,593 at the 10th percentile to as high as $61,132 at the 90th percentile, offering a broad spectrum of pay based on experience and employer type. This salary data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, reflects the economic conditions specific to Sierra Vista, where the medical emergency services sector can serve as a stepping stone for individuals aspiring to become paramedics, often leading to increased earning potential and competencies in advanced life support.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,593 | $15.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,513 | $18.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $39,873 | $19.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42,720 | $20.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61,132 | $29.39 |
Median Salary Position
15.27% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sierra Vista
In Sierra Vista, AZ, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,539 (2026 est.). At $39,873, the local median is 15.27% below the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sierra Vista: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sierra Vista Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Sierra Vista median: $39,873/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sierra Vista Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $41,448 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | -15.27% less |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Sierra Vista, AZ earn a median of $39,873 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.27% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 3.80% below the Arizona state average of $41,448.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sierra Vista has a cost of living 10.76% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sierra Vista, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 89.243 (below the national average of 100). A emergency medical technician earning $39,873 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,679 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.05% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$28,770
2025 BLS Actual
$37,680
2026 Current Est.
$39,873
2021–2027 Growth
+46.7%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Sierra Vista (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $28,770 | Actual |
| 2022 | $27,730 | Actual |
| 2023 | $32,750 | Actual |
| 2024 | $34,710 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,680 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,873 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,194 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sierra Vista metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 31.0% from $28,770 (2021) to $37,680 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,194 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,424 (46.66%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sierra Vista 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) | $32,593 – $37,513 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,513 – $39,873 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $39,873 – $42,720 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $42,720 – $61,132 |
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 Sierra Vista
With 60 emergency medical technicians currently employed in Sierra Vista, the local job market displays a promising stability, although the cost of living index, set at 89.243, indicates an affordable living environment compared to the national average. For EMTs in Sierra Vista, local employers include private ambulance services like AMR and GMR, municipal fire departments, and hospital-based EMS. Higher earnings typically emerge in municipal fire departments due to union contracts and the cross-training of firefighting EMTs, while those in private companies often earn lower wages. The salary differences are influenced by various factors such as employer type, shift differentials, overtime availability, and progression opportunities towards paramedic certification. For EMTs aiming to maximize their pay, focusing on state certification, seeking roles within municipal departments, and positioning themselves for overtime and premium shifts are all viable strategies to enhance their earning potential in Sierra Vista, AZ.
More salary data for Sierra Vista, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $37,680 for emergency medical techniciansin the Sierra Vista 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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