Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Pharr, TX: $38,188 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Pharr, TX earns a median $38,188/year (≈ $18.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Pharr's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $39,779 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, emergency medical technicians in Pharr, Texas, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $38,188. Compared to the national median of $47,058, this figure reveals a notable discrepancy, positioning local professionals approximately 18.85% lower than their counterparts nationwide. The salary range for EMTs in this region spans from $28,118 at the 10th percentile to $54,841 at the 90th percentile, illustrating significant earning potential based on experience and job type. The data presented here reflects estimates derived from 2025 BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional cost fluctuations, emphasizing the financial landscape that EMTs navigate in Pharr. As the demand for skilled technicians grows, opportunities for advancement into paramedic positions can significantly enhance earning potential.
About the Pharr Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28,118 | $13.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33,711 | $16.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $38,188 | $18.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44,011 | $21.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54,841 | $26.37 |
Median Salary Position
18.85% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pharr
In Pharr, TX, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,723 (2026 est.). At $38,188, the local median is 18.85% below the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pharr: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pharr Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Pharr median: $38,188/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pharr Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $38,458 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | -18.85% less |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Pharr, TX earn a median of $38,188 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.85% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 0.70% below the Texas state average of $38,458.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pharr 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.
Pharr, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A emergency medical technician earning $38,188 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $39,779 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2021 BLS Actual
$28,784
2025 BLS Actual
$36,088
2026 Current Est.
$38,188
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Pharr (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $28,784 | Actual |
| 2022 | $29,766 | Actual |
| 2023 | $31,592 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,232 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,088 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,188 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40,411 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pharr metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $28,784 (2021) to $36,088 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $40,411 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,627 (40.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pharr 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) | $28,118 – $33,711 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $33,711 – $38,188 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $38,188 – $44,011 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $44,011 – $54,841 |
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 Pharr
Currently, there are 18 emergency medical technicians employed in Pharr, a number that paints a picture of a relatively small yet specialized local job market. The cost of living in the area, indexed at 96, suggests that although salaries may appear lower than the national average, purchasing power remains relatively stable for those in the field. Employers in Pharr vary in compensation levels, with municipal fire departments generally offering higher pay compared to private ambulance services. Factors influencing the variability in wages include employer type, potential overtime opportunities, and the EMT-to-paramedic transition, with cross-trained firefighter-EMTs benefiting significantly from established union contracts. For those looking to maximize their emergency medical technician pay in Pharr, exploring roles in local fire departments or pursuing paramedic certification can be strategic avenues to enhance career earnings.
More salary data for Pharr, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do emergency medical technicians make in Pharr, TX in 2026?
Is Pharr, TX a good place to work as a emergency medical technician?
Can emergency medical technicians make $100K in Pharr?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted emergency medical technician salary in Pharr?
How much does a emergency medical technician make per hour in Pharr?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Texas
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 $36,088 for emergency medical techniciansin the Pharr 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 Pharr 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