Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Galveston, TX: $38,569 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Galveston, TX earns a median $38,569/year (≈ $18.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Galveston's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $40,176 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Emergency medical technicians in Galveston, Texas, can expect a median annual salary of $38,569 in 2026, which reflects a significant divergence from the national average of $47,058. This local figure is influenced by employer types; EMTs in municipal fire departments tend to earn far higher wages due to better union contracts and benefits, whereas those in private ambulance services often receive less compensation. The salary range for EMTs in Galveston varies from $28,977 at the 10th percentile to as much as $53,710 at the 90th percentile, demonstrating a competitive market where performance, employer, and experience heavily influence pay. These projections are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and include considerations for the local cost of living that sits below the national average.
About the Galveston Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28,977 | $13.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32,196 | $15.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $38,569 | $18.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43,414 | $20.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53,710 | $25.82 |
Median Salary Position
18.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Galveston
In Galveston, TX, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,733 (2026 est.). At $38,569, the local median is 18.04% below the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Galveston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Galveston Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Galveston median: $38,569/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Galveston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $38,454 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $47,058 | -18.04% less |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Galveston, TX earn a median of $38,569 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.04% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 0.30% above the Texas state average of $38,454.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Galveston 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.
Galveston, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A emergency medical technician earning $38,569 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $40,176 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$29,072
2025 BLS Actual
$36,448
2026 Current Est.
$38,569
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Galveston (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $29,072 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,063 | Actual |
| 2023 | $31,907 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,593 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,448 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,569 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40,814 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Galveston metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $29,072 (2021) to $36,448 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $40,814 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,742 (40.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Galveston 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) | $28,977 – $32,196 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $32,196 – $38,569 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $38,569 – $43,414 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $43,414 – $53,710 |
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 Galveston
Despite the lower salaries, Galveston’s local job market for emergency medical technicians remains relatively stable, with a current employment figure of 10 professionals in the area. The cost of living index sits at 96, which indicates that living expenses are somewhat more manageable compared to other parts of the country, enhancing take-home pay. Employers such as municipal fire departments and hospital-based EMS typically offer the highest compensation, while private ambulance companies like AMR and GMR lag behind. Factors driving the salary disparity include employer type, shift differentials, overtime opportunities, and potential advancement through EMT-to-paramedic pathways. Aspiring EMTs and current professionals should consider supplementing their income through overtime and specialized roles to maximize their earnings in the Galveston market.
More salary data for Galveston, TX:
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 $36,448 for emergency medical techniciansin the Galveston 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 Galveston 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