Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in San Antonio, TX: $18.90 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in San Antonio, TX runs $18.90 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $39,323 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against San Antonio's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.7, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $19.95 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $23,587 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Emergency medical technicians in San Antonio, TX, earn a median hourly rate of $18.90, which lags behind the national median hourly wage of $22.62. This financial disparity highlights the challenges faced by part-time and per-diem employees working in various demanding environments such as ambulance compartments, fire engine medical bays, and event venue medical tents. Such workers, often clocking shifts three days a week, may find their earnings fluctuate based on location and type of employment, with entry-level professionals earning as little as $16.10, while seasoned technicians can reach up to $24.62 per hour as they gain experience and credentials. The official Bureau of Labor Statistics' hourly data sheds light on the available earning potential within this critical healthcare role.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.10 | $128.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.15 | $145.19 |
| Median (P50) | $18.90 | $151.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.17 | $177.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $24.62 | $196.99 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Antonio
Based on $18.90/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $18.90/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Antonio, TX can expect to earn approximately $39,311 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $22,679. With a cost-of-living index of 94.72 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in San Antonio.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Antonio
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $755.98 | $3,276 | $39,311 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $453.59 | $1,966 | $23,587 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $302.39 | $1,310 | $15,724 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (San Antonio) | $18.90 |
| 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 San Antonio, TX earn a median of $39,323 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.44% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 2.30% above the Texas state average of $38,439.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $18.90/hr = $23,587/year (purchasing power: $24,902).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $39,311/year (purchasing power: $41,504).
CoL index: 94.716 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$16.24/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.86/hr
2026 Current Est.
$18.90/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in San Antonio (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $16.24/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.18/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $16.73/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.89/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.86/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $18.90/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.00/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in San Antonio grew 10.0% from $16.24/hr (2021) to $17.86/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.00/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 San Antonio 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 San Antonio
For part-time emergency medical technicians, who often work 24 hours a week, the take-home pay can significantly differ from full-time positions. While their schedules may provide flexibility, they could see annual earnings that are notably less than full-time counterparts. On the other hand, per diem emergency medical technician pay in San Antonio typically ranges from $20 to $32 per hour with private agencies, while specialized roles, such as oil-field medics, can command rates between $40 and $70 per hour depending on remoteness and workload. Differences in hourly compensation are also evident when comparing public and private sectors; fire department EMTs enjoy notably higher wages due to union contracts, often earning two to three times what their counterparts make in private ambulance services. When negotiating pay, EMTs should weigh the trade-off between higher hourly rates lacking benefits against lower rates that offer health insurance options. Understanding these dynamics can empower emergency medical technicians in San Antonio to make more informed career decisions.
More salary data for San Antonio, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in San Antonio in 2026?
How much do part-time emergency medical technicians make in San Antonio?
Are emergency medical technicians in San Antonio paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time emergency medical technician make per year in San Antonio?
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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 San Antonio. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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