Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Surprise, AZ: $41,349 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Surprise, AZ earns a median $41,349/year (≈ $19.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Surprise's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $41,979 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for an emergency medical technician in Surprise, Arizona, is $41,349, which is notably lower than the national median of $47,058. The salary for EMTs in the area ranges from $32,102 at the 10th percentile to $59,387 at the 90th percentile, demonstrating a wide disparity in compensation. Salary estimates are derived from BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional cost differences, reflecting local economic conditions. While Surprise does not have a significant industrial medic presence that could elevate pay, opportunities may still exist in municipal fire departments and private ambulance companies.
About the Surprise Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,102 | $15.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35,390 | $17.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $41,349 | $19.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47,298 | $22.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59,387 | $28.55 |
Median Salary Position
12.13% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Surprise
In Surprise, AZ, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,285 (2026 est.). At $41,349, the local median is 12.13% below the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Surprise: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Surprise Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Surprise median: $41,349/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Surprise Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $41,432 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | -12.13% less |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Surprise, AZ earn a median of $41,349 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.13% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 0.20% below the Arizona state average of $41,432.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Surprise 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.
Surprise, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A emergency medical technician earning $41,349 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $41,979 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$31,167
2025 BLS Actual
$39,075
2026 Current Est.
$41,349
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Surprise (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $31,167 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,230 | Actual |
| 2023 | $34,207 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,315 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,075 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,349 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,756 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Surprise metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $31,167 (2021) to $39,075 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $43,756 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,589 (40.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Surprise 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) | $32,102 – $35,390 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $35,390 – $41,349 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $41,349 – $47,298 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $47,298 – $59,387 |
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 Surprise
The job market in Surprise is relatively small, with only 31 emergency medical technicians currently employed. The cost of living index stands at 98.5, which slightly enhances the purchasing power of these salaries, although it remains below the national average. Among local employers, municipal fire departments tend to offer the highest pay due to union contracts and cross-training requirements. In contrast, private ambulance services pay substantially less, which is a common issue across the sector. Factors influencing pay variance include employer type—where fire departments generally provide better compensation—shift differentials, and opportunities for overtime. To maximize earnings in Surprise, EMTs should consider roles with municipal fire departments or explore progression to paramedic positions, where the salary potential significantly increases.
More salary data for Surprise, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can emergency medical technicians make $100K in Surprise?
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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 $39,075 for emergency medical techniciansin the Surprise 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 Surprise 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