Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Killeen, TX: $39,271 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Killeen, TX earns a median $39,271/year (≈ $18.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Killeen's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $40,907 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Killeen, Texas, offers an emergency medical technician median annual salary of $39,271 in 2026, reflecting a notable gap of 16.55% compared to the national median of $47,058. The salary range for EMTs in the region spans from a projected $28,841 at the 10th percentile to $58,165 for the top 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parities, highlight the local market's characteristics. While some EMTs may find entry-level roles on the lower end, those who bridge to paramedic certification can significantly enhance their earning potential, leading to more opportunities available within Killeen’s emergency services sector.
About the Killeen Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28,841 | $13.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32,365 | $15.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $39,271 | $18.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44,578 | $21.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58,165 | $27.97 |
Median Salary Position
16.55% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Killeen
In Killeen, TX, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,324 (2026 est.). At $39,271, the local median is 16.55% below the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Killeen: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Killeen Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Killeen median: $39,271/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Killeen Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $38,463 | +2.10% more |
| National Average | $47,058 | -16.55% less |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Killeen, TX earn a median of $39,271 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.55% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 2.10% above the Texas state average of $38,463.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Killeen 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.
Killeen, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A emergency medical technician earning $39,271 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $40,907 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$29,670
2025 BLS Actual
$37,111
2026 Current Est.
$39,271
2021–2027 Growth
+40.1%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Killeen (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $29,670 | Actual |
| 2022 | $29,540 | Actual |
| 2023 | $31,160 | Actual |
| 2024 | $32,540 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,111 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,271 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,556 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Killeen metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.1% from $29,670 (2021) to $37,111 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $41,556 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,886 (40.06%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Killeen 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) | $28,841 – $32,365 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $32,365 – $39,271 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $39,271 – $44,578 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $44,578 – $58,165 |
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 Killeen
Analysis of Killeen's job market for emergency medical technicians indicates that there are 35 EMTs currently employed. The local cost of living index, standing at 96, is slightly below the national average, impacting the take-home pay for these professionals. Among various employers, municipal fire departments tend to offer the highest compensation, often due to union contracts that ensure better pay for cross-trained firefighter-EMTs. In contrast, private ambulance services generally pay less and struggle to keep pace with inflation. Factors driving the pay range include not just the type of employer but also the presence of overtime opportunities and shift differentials. For those seeking to maximize their earnings, pursuing EMT-to-paramedic education can facilitate advancement, while considering roles in government or oil-field positions may offer higher hourly rates within Killeen’s competitive job market.
More salary data for Killeen, 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 $37,111 for emergency medical techniciansin the Killeen 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 Killeen 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