EMT Salary

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

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

Lancaster, TX
$37,277
$17.93/hr
San Antonio, TX
$39,323
$18.90/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLancaster, TXSan Antonio, TX
Median Salary$37,277$39,323
Hourly Rate$17.93$18.90
Entry Level (P10)$28,066$33,481
25th Percentile$33,240$37,746
75th Percentile$42,090$46,106
Top Earner (P90)$51,748$51,217
Total Employed81,100
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lancaster ($37,277) and San Antonio ($39,323) emergency medical technician salaries.LancasterSan AntonioMedian Salary$37,277$39,323Entry Level (P10)$28,066$33,481Top Earner (P90)$51,748$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 Lancaster.

The salary gap between Lancaster and San Antonio is $2,046 (5.49%). 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 Lancaster spans $23,682,San Antonio spans $17,736. Lancaster has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Lancaster
P10 (Entry)$28,066
P25$33,240
Median$37,277
P75$42,090
P90 (Top)$51,748
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 6.92% more than Lancaster ($38,830 effective).

Lancaster
Nominal: $37,277
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $38,830
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 Lancaster if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($51,748)
  • 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 Lancaster grew -0.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 10.0% growth in San Antonio over the same period.

Lancaster, TX

+-0.4%

$35,367 (2024) → $35,227 (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: Lancaster or San Antonio?

San Antonio has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $39,323/year, compared to Lancaster at $37,277/year — a difference of $2,046 (5.49%).

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

Lancaster emergency medical technicians earn $17.93/hr while San Antonio hygienists earn $18.90/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lancaster and San Antonio. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lancaster = $38,830, San Antonio = $41,517), job availability (8 vs 1,100 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $28,066 in Lancaster 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