EMT Salary

Abilene vs Dallas: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

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

Abilene, TX
$40,518
$19.48/hr
Dallas, TX
$40,106
$19.28/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAbilene, TXDallas, TX
Median Salary$40,518$40,106
Hourly Rate$19.48$19.28
Entry Level (P10)$32,487$35,651
25th Percentile$33,884$38,159
75th Percentile$43,291$45,598
Top Earner (P90)$46,720$58,720
Total Employed1003,000
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Abilene ($40,518) and Dallas ($40,106) emergency medical technician salaries.AbileneDallasMedian Salary$40,518$40,106Entry Level (P10)$32,487$35,651Top Earner (P90)$46,720$58,720US Median $47,058

Verdict

Abilene and Dallas are closely matched on overall emergency medical technician compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Abilene and Dallas is $412 (1.03%). Abilene's median is -13.90% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Abilene spans $14,233,Dallas spans $23,069. Dallas has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced emergency medical technicians.

Abilene
P10 (Entry)$32,487
P25$33,884
Median$40,518
P75$43,291
P90 (Top)$46,720
Dallas
P10 (Entry)$35,651
P25$38,159
Median$40,106
P75$45,598
P90 (Top)$58,720

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Abilene ($44,839 effective) pays 15.25% more than Dallas ($38,904 effective).

Abilene
Nominal: $40,518
CoL Index: 90.364
Adjusted: $44,839
Dallas
Nominal: $40,106
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $38,904

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Abilene if…

  • Higher median salary ($40,518/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $44,839)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Dallas if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($58,720)
  • Larger job market (3,000 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Abilene grew 67.6% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 4.8% growth in Dallas over the same period.

Abilene, TX

+67.6%

$22,850 (2021) → $38,290 (2025)

Dallas, TX

+4.8%

$36,150 (2021) → $37,900 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Abilene or Dallas?

Abilene has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $40,518/year, compared to Dallas at $40,106/year — a difference of $412 (1.03%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Abilene and Dallas?

Abilene emergency medical technicians earn $19.48/hr while Dallas hygienists earn $19.28/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Abilene to Dallas as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Abilene and Dallas. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Abilene = $44,839, Dallas = $38,904), job availability (100 vs 3,000 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Abilene vs Dallas?

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $32,487 in Abilene and $35,651 in Dallas. The Dallas 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