EMT Salary

San Antonio vs Corpus Christi: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

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

San Antonio, TX
$39,323
$18.90/hr
Corpus Christi, TX
$38,222
$18.37/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Antonio, TXCorpus Christi, TX
Median Salary$39,323$38,222
Hourly Rate$18.90$18.37
Entry Level (P10)$33,481$32,275
25th Percentile$37,746$34,794
75th Percentile$46,106$40,095
Top Earner (P90)$51,217$47,460
Total Employed1,100280
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Antonio ($39,323) and Corpus Christi ($38,222) emergency medical technician salaries.San AntonioCorpus ChristiMedian Salary$39,323$38,222Entry Level (P10)$33,481$32,275Top Earner (P90)$51,217$47,460US Median $47,058

Verdict

San Antonio, TX offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Corpus Christi.

The salary gap between San Antonio and Corpus Christi is $1,101 (2.88%). 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 San Antonio spans $17,736,Corpus Christi spans $15,185. San Antonio has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

San Antonio
P10 (Entry)$33,481
P25$37,746
Median$39,323
P75$46,106
P90 (Top)$51,217
Corpus Christi
P10 (Entry)$32,275
P25$34,794
Median$38,222
P75$40,095
P90 (Top)$47,460

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Antonio ($41,517 effective) pays 0.66% more than Corpus Christi ($41,245 effective).

San Antonio
Nominal: $39,323
CoL Index: 94.716
Adjusted: $41,517
Corpus Christi
Nominal: $38,222
CoL Index: 92.671
Adjusted: $41,245

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose San Antonio if…

  • Higher median salary ($39,323/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($51,217)
  • Larger job market (1,100 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $41,517)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Corpus Christi if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in San Antonio grew 10.0% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 22.7% growth in Corpus Christi over the same period.

San Antonio, TX

+10.0%

$33,770 (2021) → $37,160 (2025)

Corpus Christi, TX

+22.7%

$29,440 (2021) → $36,120 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: San Antonio or Corpus Christi?

San Antonio has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $39,323/year, compared to Corpus Christi at $38,222/year — a difference of $1,101 (2.88%).

What is the hourly rate difference between San Antonio and Corpus Christi?

San Antonio emergency medical technicians earn $18.90/hr while Corpus Christi hygienists earn $18.37/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Antonio and Corpus Christi. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Antonio = $41,517, Corpus Christi = $41,245), job availability (1,100 vs 280 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $33,481 in San Antonio and $32,275 in Corpus Christi. 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