Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Arlington, TX: $39,295 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Arlington, TX earns a median $39,295/year (≈ $18.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Arlington's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $40,932 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Arlington, Texas, emergency medical technicians can expect a median annual salary of $39,295 in 2026. This figure reflects local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional cost adjustments, indicating a salary range from $28,054 at the 10th percentile to $57,424 at the 90th percentile. Comparatively, this pay is approximately 16.50% lower than the national median of $47,058 for the same year. Notably, the salary disparity is often seen when comparing roles in municipal fire departments versus private ambulance services, where fire department EMTs may earn significantly more due to union contracts and additional benefits, impacting overall job market dynamics in Arlington.
About the Arlington Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28,054 | $13.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31,933 | $15.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $39,295 | $18.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45,211 | $21.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57,424 | $27.61 |
Median Salary Position
16.5% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Arlington
In Arlington, TX, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,370 (2026 est.). At $39,295, the local median is 16.5% below 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: $39,295/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Arlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $38,449 | +2.20% more |
| National Average | $47,058 | -16.50% less |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Arlington, TX earn a median of $39,295 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.50% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 2.20% above the Texas state average of $38,449.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Arlington has a cost of living 4.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Arlington, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A emergency medical technician earning $39,295 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $40,932 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$29,619
2025 BLS Actual
$37,134
2026 Current Est.
$39,295
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 | $29,619 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,629 | Actual |
| 2023 | $32,508 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,530 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,134 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,295 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,582 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arlington metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $29,619 (2021) to $37,134 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $41,582 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,963 (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) | $28,054 – $31,933 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $31,933 – $39,295 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $39,295 – $45,211 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $45,211 – $57,424 |
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 robust, with 83 professionals currently employed in the area. The cost of living index stands at 96, indicating a relatively affordable environment that can affect overall purchasing power. Major employers in the region include private ambulance and EMS companies such as AMR, GMR, and Falck, as well as municipal fire departments and county EMS systems. The pay variance among these employers can be attributed to factors such as employer type, opportunities for overtime, shift differentials, and potential pathways for advancement, including the EMT-to-paramedic transition. Professionals looking to maximize their emergency medical technician pay in Arlington may benefit from considering cross-training opportunities, pursuing additional certifications, and actively seeking positions with fire departments, which typically offer more competitive compensation packages compared to the private sector.
More salary data for Arlington, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do emergency medical technicians make in Arlington, TX in 2026?
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Can emergency medical technicians make $100K in Arlington?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted emergency medical technician salary in Arlington?
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Related Pages
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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 $37,134 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