Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Arlington, TX: $18.89 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Arlington, TX runs $18.89 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $39,295 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Arlington's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $19.68 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $23,573 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Arlington, Texas, emergency medical technicians (EMTs) earn a median hourly rate of $18.89, which falls short of the national median of $22.62. This discrepancy in pay reflects a common reality for EMTs working part-time or per-diem roles in settings such as ambulance patient compartments, fire engine medical bays, and event venue medical tents. For those working three days a week, the hourly wage translates to monthly earnings that can affect their decision to pursue full-time hours or maintain flexibility in their schedules. The hourly earnings range from $13.49 for entry-level positions to about $27.61 for top earners, illustrating a significant potential for growth in earnings based on experience and the specific work environment.
About the Arlington Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $13.49 | $107.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $15.35 | $122.84 |
| Median (P50) | $18.89 | $151.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21.74 | $173.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $27.61 | $220.87 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Arlington
Based on $18.89/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $18.89/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Arlington, TX can expect to earn approximately $39,289 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $22,667. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Arlington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Arlington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $755.55 | $3,274 | $39,289 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $453.33 | $1,964 | $23,573 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $302.22 | $1,310 | $15,716 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Arlington) | $18.89 |
| Paramedic (National Avg) | $27.18 |
| Nursing Assistant (National Avg) | $18.62 |
| Firefighter (National Avg) | $26.89 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.25 |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Arlington, TX earn a median of $39,295 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.50% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 2.20% above the Texas state average of $38,449.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $18.89/hr = $23,573/year (purchasing power: $24,556).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $39,289/year (purchasing power: $40,926).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$14.24/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.85/hr
2026 Current Est.
$18.89/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Arlington (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $14.24/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $14.72/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $15.63/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.04/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.85/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $18.89/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19.99/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Arlington grew 25.4% from $14.24/hr (2021) to $17.85/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $19.99/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem emergency medical technicians can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arlington metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.82% CAGR derived from 5-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Emergency Medical Technician in Arlington
When considering earnings over the course of a year, an EMT working part-time in Arlington, putting in 24 hours weekly, could reasonably anticipate annual earnings of around $26,103. This figure pales in comparison to full-time counterparts, emphasizing the trade-offs faced by part-time medical professionals. Additionally, per-diem EMTs in Arlington often bill between $20 and $32 per hour through private companies, while specialized roles such as oil-field medics can command between $40 and $70 per hour depending on their work settings. Many EMTs in Arlington find their hourly wages influenced by employer types, such as municipal fire departments or private ambulance services. Choosing a position with benefits versus higher hourly pay without them is a critical decision for many, as healthcare and retirement options often weigh heavily in this field. Negotiating pay with clear knowledge of average rates in Arlington can lead to more favorable outcomes for newly minted EMTs or those transitioning to freelance opportunities.
More salary data for Arlington, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Arlington in 2026?
How much do part-time emergency medical technicians make in Arlington?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for emergency medical technicians in Arlington. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Arlington is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.82%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for emergency medical technicians (SOC 29-2042).
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