Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Austin, TX: $48,402 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Austin, TX earns a median $48,402/year (≈ $23.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Austin's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.1), that paycheck buys what $49,357 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 25.9% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, emergency medical technicians in Austin, Texas can expect a median annual salary of $48,402, reflecting a robust market for EMTs compared to the national median of $47,058. Salaries in this field range from $38,847 at the 10th percentile to $63,270 at the 90th percentile. These projections derive from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, which analyze the local and national job markets. Texas is known for its thriving industrial sectors, and opportunities for oil-field medics may offer higher compensation, typically exceeding conventional EMT roles, making the salary landscape in Austin both competitive and diverse.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,847 | $18.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,344 | $19.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,402 | $23.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55,196 | $26.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63,270 | $30.42 |
Median Salary Position
2.86% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Austin
In Austin, TX, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,423 (2026 est.). At $48,402, the local median is 2.86% above the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Austin: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Austin Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Austin median: $48,402/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Austin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $38,445 | +25.90% more |
| National Average | $47,058 | +2.86% more |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Austin, TX earn a median of $48,402 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.86% higher than the national median of $47,058 and 25.90% above the Texas state average of $38,445.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Austin has a cost of living 1.93% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Austin, TX has a cost-of-living index of 98.066 (below the national average of 100). A emergency medical technician earning $48,402 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $49,357 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.97% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$39,530
2025 BLS Actual
$45,740
2026 Current Est.
$48,402
2021–2027 Growth
+29.6%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Austin (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $39,530 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,200 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,500 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,510 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,740 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,402 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,219 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Austin metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 15.7% from $39,530 (2021) to $45,740 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,219 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,689 (29.57%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Austin 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $38,847 – $41,344 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,344 – $48,402 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,402 – $55,196 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $55,196 – $63,270 |
EMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual emergency medical technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Emergency Medical Technician Job Market in Austin
With approximately 880 emergency medical technicians presently employed in the Austin area, the local job market remains strong, aided by a cost-of-living index of 98.066, which means living expenses are slightly below the national average. This reality enhances the purchasing power for EMTs. The highest-paying employers often include municipal fire departments and industrial companies, where cross-trained firefighter-EMTs and oil-field medics can command significantly better wages than their counterparts in private ambulance services. Several factors contribute to the wage range, including the type of employer, shift differentials, overtime potential, and the EMT-to-paramedic bridge pathway. To maximize earnings, it is advisable for EMTs to seek employment with municipal departments or pursue additional certifications that enhance their skills and marketability in Austin’s evolving healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Austin, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $45,740 for emergency medical techniciansin the Austin metropolitan area. A 5.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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