EMT Salary

Houston vs Lufkin: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

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

Houston, TX
$41,153
$19.79/hr
Lufkin, TX
$36,495
$17.54/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXLufkin, TX
Median Salary$41,153$36,495
Hourly Rate$19.79$17.54
Entry Level (P10)$34,508$29,225
25th Percentile$38,878$31,612
75th Percentile$48,952$40,358
Top Earner (P90)$56,815$49,088
Total Employed2,6808
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($41,153) and Lufkin ($36,495) emergency medical technician salaries.HoustonLufkinMedian Salary$41,153$36,495Entry Level (P10)$34,508$29,225Top Earner (P90)$56,815$49,088US Median $47,058

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Houston and Lufkin is $4,658 (12.76%). Houston's median is -12.55% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Houston spans $22,307,Lufkin spans $19,863. Houston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$34,508
P25$38,878
Median$41,153
P75$48,952
P90 (Top)$56,815
Lufkin
P10 (Entry)$29,225
P25$31,612
Median$36,495
P75$40,358
P90 (Top)$49,088

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($41,725 effective) pays 9.76% more than Lufkin ($38,016 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $41,153
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $41,725
Lufkin
Nominal: $36,495
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $38,016

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($41,153/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($56,815)
  • Larger job market (2,680 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $41,725)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Lufkin if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Houston grew 7.0% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -0.4% growth in Lufkin over the same period.

Houston, TX

+7.0%

$36,360 (2021) → $38,890 (2025)

Lufkin, TX

+-0.4%

$34,626 (2024) → $34,488 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Houston or Lufkin?

Houston has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $41,153/year, compared to Lufkin at $36,495/year — a difference of $4,658 (12.76%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Lufkin?

Houston emergency medical technicians earn $19.79/hr while Lufkin hygienists earn $17.54/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Houston to Lufkin as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Lufkin. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $41,725, Lufkin = $38,016), job availability (2,680 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Houston vs Lufkin?

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $34,508 in Houston and $29,225 in Lufkin. The Houston 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