EMT Salary

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

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

Laredo, TX
$39,196
$18.85/hr
San Antonio, TX
$39,323
$18.90/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLaredo, TXSan Antonio, TX
Median Salary$39,196$39,323
Hourly Rate$18.85$18.90
Entry Level (P10)$29,735$33,481
25th Percentile$36,381$37,746
75th Percentile$40,349$46,106
Top Earner (P90)$44,201$51,217
Total Employed1301,100
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Laredo ($39,196) and San Antonio ($39,323) emergency medical technician salaries.LaredoSan AntonioMedian Salary$39,196$39,323Entry Level (P10)$29,735$33,481Top Earner (P90)$44,201$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 Laredo.

The salary gap between Laredo and San Antonio is $127 (0.32%). 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 Laredo spans $14,466,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.

Laredo
P10 (Entry)$29,735
P25$36,381
Median$39,196
P75$40,349
P90 (Top)$44,201
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, Laredo ($45,076 effective) pays 8.57% more than San Antonio ($41,517 effective).

Laredo
Nominal: $39,196
CoL Index: 86.956
Adjusted: $45,076
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 Laredo if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $45,076)
  • 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)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Laredo grew 35.4% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 10.0% growth in San Antonio over the same period.

Laredo, TX

+35.4%

$27,350 (2021) → $37,040 (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: Laredo or San Antonio?

San Antonio has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $39,323/year, compared to Laredo at $39,196/year — a difference of $127 (0.32%).

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

Laredo emergency medical technicians earn $18.85/hr while San Antonio hygienists earn $18.90/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Laredo and San Antonio. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Laredo = $45,076, San Antonio = $41,517), job availability (130 vs 1,100 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $29,735 in Laredo 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