EMT Salary

Brunswick vs Portland: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

Compare emergency medical technician salaries between Brunswick, ME and Portland, ME. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Brunswick, ME
$43,372
$20.86/hr
Portland, ME
$50,561
$24.31/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBrunswick, MEPortland, ME
Median Salary$43,372$50,561
Hourly Rate$20.86$24.31
Entry Level (P10)$36,231$46,899
25th Percentile$38,480$47,291
75th Percentile$48,386$54,296
Top Earner (P90)$58,477$63,503
Total Employed4350
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Brunswick ($43,372) and Portland ($50,561) emergency medical technician salaries.BrunswickPortlandMedian Salary$43,372$50,561Entry Level (P10)$36,231$46,899Top Earner (P90)$58,477$63,503US Median $47,058

Verdict

Portland, ME offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Brunswick.

The salary gap between Brunswick and Portland is $7,189 (16.58%). Portland's median is +7.44% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Brunswick spans $22,246,Portland spans $16,604. Brunswick has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Brunswick
P10 (Entry)$36,231
P25$38,480
Median$43,372
P75$48,386
P90 (Top)$58,477
Portland
P10 (Entry)$46,899
P25$47,291
Median$50,561
P75$54,296
P90 (Top)$63,503

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Portland ($49,639 effective) pays 13.99% more than Brunswick ($43,546 effective).

Brunswick
Nominal: $43,372
CoL Index: 99.6
Adjusted: $43,546
Portland
Nominal: $50,561
CoL Index: 101.858
Adjusted: $49,639

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Brunswick if…

  • You prefer the Maine area and lifestyle

Choose Portland if…

  • Higher median salary ($50,561/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($63,503)
  • Larger job market (350 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,639)
  • You prefer the Maine area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Brunswick grew 17.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 31.5% growth in Portland over the same period.

Brunswick, ME

+17.0%

$35,024 (2024) → $40,987 (2025)

Portland, ME

+31.5%

$36,340 (2021) → $47,780 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Brunswick or Portland?

Portland has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $50,561/year, compared to Brunswick at $43,372/year — a difference of $7,189 (16.58%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Brunswick and Portland?

Brunswick emergency medical technicians earn $20.86/hr while Portland hygienists earn $24.31/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Brunswick to Portland as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Brunswick and Portland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Brunswick = $43,546, Portland = $49,639), job availability (4 vs 350 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Brunswick vs Portland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $36,231 in Brunswick and $46,899 in Portland. The Portland area offers higher starting salaries.
AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Mendoza, EMT-BData verified by Fatima Ali, EMT-I

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.82% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

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