EMT Salary

Baytown vs San Antonio: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

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

Baytown, TX
$38,256
$18.39/hr
San Antonio, TX
$39,323
$18.90/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBaytown, TXSan Antonio, TX
Median Salary$38,256$39,323
Hourly Rate$18.39$18.90
Entry Level (P10)$28,276$33,481
25th Percentile$31,556$37,746
75th Percentile$42,653$46,106
Top Earner (P90)$52,742$51,217
Total Employed161,100
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Baytown ($38,256) and San Antonio ($39,323) emergency medical technician salaries.BaytownSan AntonioMedian Salary$38,256$39,323Entry Level (P10)$28,276$33,481Top Earner (P90)$52,742$51,217US Median $47,058

Verdict

San Antonio, TX offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Baytown.

The salary gap between Baytown and San Antonio is $1,067 (2.79%). San Antonio's median is -16.44% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Baytown spans $24,466,San Antonio spans $17,736. Baytown has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Baytown
P10 (Entry)$28,276
P25$31,556
Median$38,256
P75$42,653
P90 (Top)$52,742
San Antonio
P10 (Entry)$33,481
P25$37,746
Median$39,323
P75$46,106
P90 (Top)$51,217

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Antonio ($41,517 effective) pays 4.18% more than Baytown ($39,850 effective).

Baytown
Nominal: $38,256
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $39,850
San Antonio
Nominal: $39,323
CoL Index: 94.716
Adjusted: $41,517

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Baytown if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($52,742)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose San Antonio if…

  • Higher median salary ($39,323/year)
  • Larger job market (1,100 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $41,517)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Baytown grew -0.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 10.0% growth in San Antonio over the same period.

Baytown, TX

+-0.4%

$36,296 (2024) → $36,152 (2025)

San Antonio, TX

+10.0%

$33,770 (2021) → $37,160 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Baytown or San Antonio?

San Antonio has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $39,323/year, compared to Baytown at $38,256/year — a difference of $1,067 (2.79%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Baytown and San Antonio?

Baytown emergency medical technicians earn $18.39/hr while San Antonio hygienists earn $18.90/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Baytown to San Antonio as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Baytown and San Antonio. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Baytown = $39,850, San Antonio = $41,517), job availability (16 vs 1,100 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Baytown vs San Antonio?

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $28,276 in Baytown and $33,481 in San Antonio. The San Antonio 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