Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Laredo, TX: $39,196 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Laredo, TX earns a median $39,196/year (≈ $18.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Laredo's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 87.0), that paycheck buys what $45,076 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, an emergency medical technician salary in Laredo is projected to average $39,196 annually. With a salary range spanning from $29,735 at the 10th percentile to $44,201 for the 90th percentile, the compensation for EMTs in this border city is notably lower compared to the national median of $47,058. The official data derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates a cost-effectiveness aspect, as Laredo’s living expenses are below the national average, which influences the overall financial landscape for EMS professionals. Seasoned EMTs with aspirations to progress into paramedic roles can expect enhanced responsibilities and pay, making it a worthwhile career trajectory in the local job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29,735 | $14.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,381 | $17.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $39,196 | $18.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40,349 | $19.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44,201 | $21.25 |
Median Salary Position
16.71% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Laredo
In Laredo, TX, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $14,466 (2026 est.). At $39,196, the local median is 16.71% below the national median of $47,058.
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At 40 hours/week in Laredo: You'd be above the median
How Laredo Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Laredo median: $39,196/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Laredo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $38,465 | +1.90% more |
| National Average | $47,058 | -16.71% less |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Laredo, TX earn a median of $39,196 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.71% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 1.90% above the Texas state average of $38,465.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Laredo has a cost of living 13.04% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Laredo, TX has a cost-of-living index of 86.956 (below the national average of 100). A emergency medical technician earning $39,196 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $45,076 in an average-cost city — an effective 15% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$27,350
2025 BLS Actual
$37,040
2026 Current Est.
$39,196
2021–2027 Growth
+51.7%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Laredo (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $27,350 | Actual |
| 2022 | $29,640 | Actual |
| 2023 | $32,426 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,420 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,040 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,196 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,477 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Laredo metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 35.4% from $27,350 (2021) to $37,040 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $41,477 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,127 (51.65%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Laredo 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) | $29,735 – $36,381 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,381 – $39,196 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $39,196 – $40,349 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $40,349 – $44,201 |
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 Laredo
The employment landscape for emergency medical technicians in Laredo currently includes about 130 individuals, highlighting a stable job market. With a cost of living index significantly lower than the national average, at 86.956, EMTs can stretch their earnings further in this region. Employers such as municipal fire departments tend to offer the highest wages due to union contracts, often significantly outpacing pay from private ambulance services like AMR and GMR. This variation in pay structures is influenced by factors such as shift differentials, overtime opportunities, and the potential for career advancement through the EMT-to-paramedic bridge. For those looking to maximize their emergency medical technician pay in Laredo, considering positions with municipal services or exploring specialized roles can enhance overall income, especially during shifts that offer additional compensation.
More salary data for Laredo, 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 $37,040 for emergency medical techniciansin the Laredo 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