Emergency Medical Technician Salary in San Antonio, TX: $39,323 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in San Antonio, TX earns a median $39,323/year (≈ $18.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in San Antonio's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 94.7), that paycheck buys what $41,517 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, emergency medical technicians can expect a median annual salary of $39,323 in San Antonio, Texas, which is notably lower than the national median of $47,058. The salaries for this role range from $33,481 at the low end to $51,217 at the high end, reflecting variations in experience and employer type. This data is derived from projections based on 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, highlighting the need for EMTs to consider career progression pathways, such as advancing to paramedic status, which can significantly enhance their earning potential. Understanding the local job market dynamics is essential for prospective EMTs in San Antonio, as opportunities for better compensation often arise from transitioning to higher-skilled roles or moving into more lucrative sectors like industrial medicine.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,481 | $16.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,746 | $18.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $39,323 | $18.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46,106 | $22.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51,217 | $24.62 |
Median Salary Position
16.44% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Antonio
In San Antonio, TX, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $17,736 (2026 est.). At $39,323, the local median is 16.44% below the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Antonio: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Antonio Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
San Antonio median: $39,323/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Antonio Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $38,439 | +2.30% more |
| National Average | $47,058 | -16.44% less |
Emergency Medical Technicians in San Antonio, TX earn a median of $39,323 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.44% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 2.30% above the Texas state average of $38,439.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Antonio has a cost of living 5.28% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Antonio, TX has a cost-of-living index of 94.716 (below the national average of 100). A emergency medical technician earning $39,323 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $41,517 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.58% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$33,770
2025 BLS Actual
$37,160
2026 Current Est.
$39,323
2021–2027 Growth
+23.2%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in San Antonio (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $33,770 | Actual |
| 2022 | $33,650 | Actual |
| 2023 | $34,790 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,200 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,160 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,323 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,611 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Antonio metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 10.0% from $33,770 (2021) to $37,160 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $41,611 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,841 (23.22%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Antonio 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) | $33,481 – $37,746 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,746 – $39,323 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $39,323 – $46,106 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $46,106 – $51,217 |
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 San Antonio
The job market for emergency medical technicians in San Antonio is relatively robust, with approximately 1,100 EMTs employed in the area. One must also consider the local cost of living, which stands below the national average at a CoL index of 94.716; this environment can affect how much purchasing power these professionals have. Among local employers, municipal fire departments typically offer the highest salaries due to union contracts, whereas private ambulance services may lag behind, complicating the financial picture for EMTs who choose this path. Factors influencing the salary spread include employer type—fire departments almost always pay more than private ambulance companies—along with variables like shift differentials, overtime hours, and advanced training opportunities that can lead to higher pay, especially for those pursuing the EMT-to-paramedic bridge. For those in San Antonio looking to maximize their emergency medical technician pay, seeking positions with municipal services or gaining additional certifications will be beneficial strategies.
More salary data for San Antonio, 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 $37,160 for emergency medical techniciansin the San Antonio 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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