Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Arlington, MA: $47,534 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Arlington, MA earns a median $47,534/year (≈ $22.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Arlington's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $43,810 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, emergency medical technicians in Arlington, Massachusetts, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $47,534, slightly above the national median of $47,058. This salary reflects a range from $37,049 at the 10th percentile to $62,858 at the 90th percentile, indicating a robust earning potential that varies widely. These figures, adjusted for local cost-of-living considerations, demonstrate how Springfield's EMT positions might position themselves amid competitive market dynamics. Notably, those working for municipal fire departments, which often cross-train EMTs, can expect significantly higher earnings compared to their counterparts in private ambulance services, thus underscoring the importance of employer choice in this field.
About the Arlington Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,049 | $17.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,422 | $19.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,534 | $22.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52,790 | $25.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62,858 | $30.22 |
Median Salary Position
1.01% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Arlington
In Arlington, MA, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,809 (2026 est.). At $47,534, the local median is 1.01% above the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Arlington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Arlington Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Arlington median: $47,534/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Arlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $48,258 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | +1.01% more |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Arlington, MA earn a median of $47,534 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.01% higher than the national median of $47,058 and 1.50% below the Massachusetts state average of $48,258.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Arlington has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Arlington, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $47,534 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $43,810 — a 7.83% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2021 BLS Actual
$35,829
2025 BLS Actual
$44,920
2026 Current Est.
$47,534
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Arlington (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $35,829 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,051 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,324 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,304 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,920 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,534 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,301 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arlington metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $35,829 (2021) to $44,920 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,301 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,472 (40.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arlington 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) | $37,049 – $40,422 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,422 – $47,534 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,534 – $52,790 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $52,790 – $62,858 |
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 Arlington
The local job market for emergency medical technicians in Arlington is supported by a small but crucial workforce of 9 employed professionals. The cost-of-living index in the area stands at 108.5, indicating that take-home salaries must be carefully managed to maintain purchasing power in a market where affordability may be a concern. Among the employers, municipal fire departments typically offer the highest compensation, with industrial and oil-field medics also earning competitive wages, often exceeding those from private ambulance services. The variation in pay seen here stems from multiple factors, including employer type, overtime availability, and the potential for EMT-to-paramedic progression. In this environment, those seeking to maximize their emergency medical technician pay in Arlington MA should consider pursuing cross-training opportunities and aligning themselves with unionized fire departments or industries that pay higher wages for specialized services.
More salary data for Arlington, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do emergency medical technicians make in Arlington, MA in 2026?
Is Arlington, MA a good place to work as a emergency medical technician?
Can emergency medical technicians make $100K in Arlington?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted emergency medical technician salary in Arlington?
How much does a emergency medical technician make per hour in Arlington?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Massachusetts
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 $44,920 for emergency medical techniciansin the Arlington 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 Arlington 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