EMT Salary

Austin vs Garland: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

Compare emergency medical technician salaries between Austin, TX and Garland, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Austin, TX
$48,402
$23.27/hr
Garland, TX
$39,957
$19.21/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAustin, TXGarland, TX
Median Salary$48,402$39,957
Hourly Rate$23.27$19.21
Entry Level (P10)$38,847$28,365
25th Percentile$41,344$32,348
75th Percentile$55,196$45,008
Top Earner (P90)$63,270$60,727
Total Employed88043
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Austin ($48,402) and Garland ($39,957) emergency medical technician salaries.AustinGarlandMedian Salary$48,402$39,957Entry Level (P10)$38,847$28,365Top Earner (P90)$63,270$60,727US Median $47,058

Verdict

Austin, TX offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Garland.

The salary gap between Austin and Garland is $8,445 (21.14%). Austin's median is +2.86% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Austin spans $24,423,Garland spans $32,362. Garland has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced emergency medical technicians.

Austin
P10 (Entry)$38,847
P25$41,344
Median$48,402
P75$55,196
P90 (Top)$63,270
Garland
P10 (Entry)$28,365
P25$32,348
Median$39,957
P75$45,008
P90 (Top)$60,727

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Austin ($49,357 effective) pays 18.58% more than Garland ($41,622 effective).

Austin
Nominal: $48,402
CoL Index: 98.066
Adjusted: $49,357
Garland
Nominal: $39,957
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $41,622

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Austin if…

  • Higher median salary ($48,402/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($63,270)
  • Larger job market (880 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,357)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Garland if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Austin grew 15.7% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -0.4% growth in Garland over the same period.

Austin, TX

+15.7%

$39,530 (2021) → $45,740 (2025)

Garland, TX

+-0.4%

$37,910 (2024) → $37,759 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Austin or Garland?

Austin has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $48,402/year, compared to Garland at $39,957/year — a difference of $8,445 (21.14%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Austin and Garland?

Austin emergency medical technicians earn $23.27/hr while Garland hygienists earn $19.21/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Austin to Garland as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Austin and Garland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Austin = $49,357, Garland = $41,622), job availability (880 vs 43 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Austin vs Garland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $38,847 in Austin and $28,365 in Garland. The Austin area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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