Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Chelmsford, MA: $45,869 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Chelmsford, MA earns a median $45,869/year (≈ $22.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Chelmsford's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $42,276 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.9% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, emergency medical technicians in Chelmsford, Massachusetts can expect a median annual salary of $45,869, which is slightly below the national median of $47,058. The local salary range spans from $36,647 at the 10th percentile to $63,561 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost of living variations, reflect the unique market dynamics in Chelmsford, particularly the significant pay discrepancies between fire department EMTs and those employed by private ambulance services. In this vicinity, municipal fire departments generally offer more competitive compensation due to union contracts, creating a disparity that can profoundly influence an EMT's career trajectory in the region.
About the Chelmsford Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,647 | $17.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,811 | $19.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $45,869 | $22.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51,721 | $24.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63,561 | $30.56 |
Median Salary Position
2.53% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chelmsford
In Chelmsford, MA, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,914 (2026 est.). At $45,869, the local median is 2.53% below the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chelmsford: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chelmsford Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Chelmsford median: $45,869/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chelmsford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $48,232 | -4.90% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | -2.53% less |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Chelmsford, MA earn a median of $45,869 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.53% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 4.90% below the Massachusetts state average of $48,232.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chelmsford has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chelmsford, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $45,869 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $42,276 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$34,573
2025 BLS Actual
$43,346
2026 Current Est.
$45,869
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Chelmsford (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $34,573 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,753 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,946 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,505 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,346 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,869 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,538 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chelmsford metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $34,573 (2021) to $43,346 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,538 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,965 (40.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chelmsford 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) | $36,647 – $39,811 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,811 – $45,869 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $45,869 – $51,721 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $51,721 – $63,561 |
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 Chelmsford
With only eight emergency medical technicians currently employed in Chelmsford, the local job market can feel quite compact. The cost of living index in this area is 108.5, highlighting an above-average expense for housing and day-to-day necessities, which can impact take-home pay and purchasing power for EMTs. Employers, including private ambulance companies like AMR and GMR, pay less than municipal fire departments, where cross-trained firefighter-EMTs benefit from significantly higher wages. Additionally, factors such as overtime opportunities, shift differentials, and the potential to transition from EMT to paramedic can influence salaries, with higher pay often found in industrial or oil-field medical roles. For those seeking to maximize their earnings in Chelmsford, pursuing advanced certifications, seeking union involvement, and being open to different employment arrangements can be advantageous strategies.
More salary data for Chelmsford, MA:
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 $43,346 for emergency medical techniciansin the Chelmsford 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 Chelmsford 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