EMT Salary

Dallas vs Killeen: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

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

Dallas, TX
$40,106
$19.28/hr
Killeen, TX
$39,271
$18.88/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDallas, TXKilleen, TX
Median Salary$40,106$39,271
Hourly Rate$19.28$18.88
Entry Level (P10)$35,651$28,841
25th Percentile$38,159$32,365
75th Percentile$45,598$44,578
Top Earner (P90)$58,720$58,165
Total Employed3,00035
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dallas ($40,106) and Killeen ($39,271) emergency medical technician salaries.DallasKilleenMedian Salary$40,106$39,271Entry Level (P10)$35,651$28,841Top Earner (P90)$58,720$58,165US Median $47,058

Verdict

Dallas, TX offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Killeen.

The salary gap between Dallas and Killeen is $835 (2.13%). Dallas's median is -14.77% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Dallas spans $23,069,Killeen spans $29,324. Killeen has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced emergency medical technicians.

Dallas
P10 (Entry)$35,651
P25$38,159
Median$40,106
P75$45,598
P90 (Top)$58,720
Killeen
P10 (Entry)$28,841
P25$32,365
Median$39,271
P75$44,578
P90 (Top)$58,165

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Killeen ($40,907 effective) pays 5.15% more than Dallas ($38,904 effective).

Dallas
Nominal: $40,106
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $38,904
Killeen
Nominal: $39,271
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $40,907

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Dallas if…

  • Higher median salary ($40,106/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($58,720)
  • Larger job market (3,000 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Killeen if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $40,907)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Dallas grew 4.8% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 25.1% growth in Killeen over the same period.

Dallas, TX

+4.8%

$36,150 (2021) → $37,900 (2025)

Killeen, TX

+25.1%

$29,670 (2021) → $37,111 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Dallas has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $40,106/year, compared to Killeen at $39,271/year — a difference of $835 (2.13%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dallas and Killeen?

Dallas emergency medical technicians earn $19.28/hr while Killeen hygienists earn $18.88/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dallas and Killeen. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dallas = $38,904, Killeen = $40,907), job availability (3,000 vs 35 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $35,651 in Dallas and $28,841 in Killeen. 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