Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Brownsville, TX: $35,788 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Brownsville, TX earns a median $35,788/year (≈ $17.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Brownsville's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 86.0), that paycheck buys what $41,626 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.9% below the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, individuals working as emergency medical technicians in Brownsville, Texas, can expect to earn a median salary of $35,788. This figure represents a significant gap when compared to the projected national median of $47,058, highlighting the financial challenges faced by local EMTs. The salary range for this role spans from approximately $29,608 at the 10th percentile to $51,778 at the 90th percentile, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026. The pay discrepancy is notably influenced by the type of employer, with EMTs employed by municipal fire departments often receiving significantly higher compensation than their counterparts in private ambulance companies. This dynamic creates a competitive landscape in which aspiring EMTs must consider various employment pathways to optimize their financial outcomes within the Brownsville emergency services market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29,608 | $14.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30,370 | $14.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $35,788 | $17.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40,698 | $19.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51,778 | $24.90 |
Median Salary Position
23.95% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brownsville
In Brownsville, TX, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,170 (2026 est.). At $35,788, the local median is 23.95% below the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brownsville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brownsville Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Brownsville median: $35,788/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brownsville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $38,441 | -6.90% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | -23.95% less |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Brownsville, TX earn a median of $35,788 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.95% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 6.90% below the Texas state average of $38,441.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brownsville has a cost of living 14.03% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brownsville, TX has a cost-of-living index of 85.975 (below the national average of 100). A emergency medical technician earning $35,788 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $41,626 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.31% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$28,830
2025 BLS Actual
$33,820
2026 Current Est.
$35,788
2021–2027 Growth
+31.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Brownsville (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $28,830 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,620 | Actual |
| 2023 | $29,607 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,472 | Actual |
| 2025 | $33,820 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35,788 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37,871 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brownsville metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 17.3% from $28,830 (2021) to $33,820 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $37,871 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,041 (31.36%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brownsville 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) | $29,608 – $30,370 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $30,370 – $35,788 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $35,788 – $40,698 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $40,698 – $51,778 |
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 Brownsville
Analyzing the local job market, there are about 100 emergency medical technicians currently employed in the Brownsville area, which suggests a stable demand for these professionals. The cost of living in Brownsville, reflected in a cost-of-living index of 85.975, offers a relatively affordable lifestyle, but it still affects take-home pay and purchasing power. Within the city, private ambulance services, such as AMR and GMR, generally offer lower wages compared to municipal fire departments, which benefit from union contracts that result in substantially higher EMT pay. Additionally, those working in oil-field or industrial settings can command hourly rates significantly above the median salary, often ranging from $50 to $70 per hour. To maximize earnings, EMTs in Brownsville should consider pursuing the EMT-to-paramedic bridge, which not only enhances career advancement opportunities but also typically comes with increased compensation. Ultimately, understanding the nuances of employer types and seeking roles in higher-paying sectors can greatly influence the financial prospects of emergency medical technician pay in Brownsville, TX.
More salary data for Brownsville, 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 $33,820 for emergency medical techniciansin the Brownsville 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, 4-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