EMT Salary

Corpus Christi vs San Antonio: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

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

Corpus Christi, TX
$38,222
$18.37/hr
San Antonio, TX
$39,323
$18.90/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCorpus Christi, TXSan Antonio, TX
Median Salary$38,222$39,323
Hourly Rate$18.37$18.90
Entry Level (P10)$32,275$33,481
25th Percentile$34,794$37,746
75th Percentile$40,095$46,106
Top Earner (P90)$47,460$51,217
Total Employed2801,100
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Corpus Christi ($38,222) and San Antonio ($39,323) emergency medical technician salaries.Corpus ChristiSan AntonioMedian Salary$38,222$39,323Entry Level (P10)$32,275$33,481Top Earner (P90)$47,460$51,217US Median $47,058

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Corpus Christi and San Antonio is $1,101 (2.88%). 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 Corpus Christi spans $15,185,San Antonio spans $17,736. San Antonio has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced emergency medical technicians.

Corpus Christi
P10 (Entry)$32,275
P25$34,794
Median$38,222
P75$40,095
P90 (Top)$47,460
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 0.66% more than Corpus Christi ($41,245 effective).

Corpus Christi
Nominal: $38,222
CoL Index: 92.671
Adjusted: $41,245
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 Corpus Christi if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose San Antonio if…

  • Higher median salary ($39,323/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($51,217)
  • 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 Corpus Christi grew 22.7% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 10.0% growth in San Antonio over the same period.

Corpus Christi, TX

+22.7%

$29,440 (2021) → $36,120 (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: Corpus Christi or San Antonio?

San Antonio has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $39,323/year, compared to Corpus Christi at $38,222/year — a difference of $1,101 (2.88%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Corpus Christi and San Antonio?

Corpus Christi emergency medical technicians earn $18.37/hr while San Antonio hygienists earn $18.90/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Corpus Christi and San Antonio. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Corpus Christi = $41,245, San Antonio = $41,517), job availability (280 vs 1,100 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $32,275 in Corpus Christi 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