EMT Salary

Houston vs Mission: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

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

Houston, TX
$41,153
$19.79/hr
Mission, TX
$35,894
$17.26/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXMission, TX
Median Salary$41,153$35,894
Hourly Rate$19.79$17.26
Entry Level (P10)$34,508$26,756
25th Percentile$38,878$29,777
75th Percentile$48,952$39,458
Top Earner (P90)$56,815$51,954
Total Employed2,68022
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($41,153) and Mission ($35,894) emergency medical technician salaries.HoustonMissionMedian Salary$41,153$35,894Entry Level (P10)$34,508$26,756Top Earner (P90)$56,815$51,954US Median $47,058

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Houston and Mission is $5,259 (14.65%). 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,Mission spans $25,198. Mission has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced emergency medical technicians.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$34,508
P25$38,878
Median$41,153
P75$48,952
P90 (Top)$56,815
Mission
P10 (Entry)$26,756
P25$29,777
Median$35,894
P75$39,458
P90 (Top)$51,954

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($41,725 effective) pays 11.60% more than Mission ($37,390 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $41,153
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $41,725
Mission
Nominal: $35,894
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $37,390

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 Mission 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 -6.9% growth in Mission over the same period.

Houston, TX

+7.0%

$36,360 (2021) → $38,890 (2025)

Mission, TX

+-6.9%

$36,437 (2024) → $33,920 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Houston has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $41,153/year, compared to Mission at $35,894/year — a difference of $5,259 (14.65%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Mission?

Houston emergency medical technicians earn $19.79/hr while Mission hygienists earn $17.26/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Mission. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $41,725, Mission = $37,390), job availability (2,680 vs 22 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $34,508 in Houston and $26,756 in Mission. 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