Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Pasadena, TX: $40,615 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Pasadena, TX earns a median $40,615/year (≈ $19.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Pasadena's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $42,307 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.6% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Pasadena, TX, the projected median annual emergency medical technician salary in 2026 is $40,615, which is approximately 13.69% lower than the national median of $47,058. The salary range for EMTs in this area spans from $31,465 at the 10th percentile to $58,141 at the 90th percentile, revealing a diverse employment landscape that reflects a variety of roles and responsibilities. These figures are derived from state-level data and adjusted for local cost-of-living considerations, where Pasadena’s cost index stands at 96, indicating that living expenses are slightly below the national average. Potential opportunities for oil-field medics could provide a premium for those willing to adapt to the unique environment and demands of industrial settings.
About the Pasadena Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,465 | $15.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34,712 | $16.69 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $40,615 | $19.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46,470 | $22.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58,141 | $27.95 |
Median Salary Position
13.69% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pasadena
In Pasadena, TX, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,676 (2026 est.). At $40,615, the local median is 13.69% below the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pasadena: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pasadena Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Pasadena median: $40,615/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pasadena Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $38,461 | +5.60% more |
| National Average | $47,058 | -13.69% less |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Pasadena, TX earn a median of $40,615 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.69% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 5.60% above the Texas state average of $38,461.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pasadena has a cost of living 4.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pasadena, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A emergency medical technician earning $40,615 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $42,307 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$30,613
2025 BLS Actual
$38,381
2026 Current Est.
$40,615
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Pasadena (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $30,613 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,658 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,600 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,363 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,381 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,615 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,979 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pasadena metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $30,613 (2021) to $38,381 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,979 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,366 (40.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pasadena 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) | $31,465 – $34,712 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $34,712 – $40,615 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $40,615 – $46,470 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $46,470 – $58,141 |
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 Pasadena
With just 32 emergency medical technicians currently employed in Pasadena, the local job market displays a combination of stability and competitive factors affecting salaries. Given the cost of living, those working in municipal fire departments generally earn higher wages, owing to union contracts and the nature of cross-training as firefighter-EMTs. In contrast, private ambulance services often offer lower compensation, reflecting broader trends in the industry where wages have not kept pace with inflation. Variations in pay are largely driven by employer type; fire departments typically exceed private companies in pay scales, while industrial and oil-field positions can command higher hourly rates. EMTs looking to maximize their earnings should consider pursuing the EMT-to-paramedic bridge pathway or seeking opportunities in specialized roles such as tactical or event medical services, where additional training can significantly enhance their overall compensation package in the Pasadena market.
More salary data for Pasadena, 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 $38,381 for emergency medical techniciansin the Pasadena 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
Salary data for Pasadena 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