Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Plano, TX: $40,165 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Plano, TX earns a median $40,165/year (≈ $19.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Plano's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $41,839 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, emergency medical technicians (EMTs) in Plano, Texas, can expect a median annual salary of $40,165, which is notably lower than the national median of $47,058. The salary range for EMTs in the area spans from $28,798 at the 10th percentile to as much as $57,244 for those at the 90th percentile. These figures are part of estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional costs, and reflect a local job market that includes various employer types, from private ambulance services to oil-field operations. Despite the overall earnings being below the national average, opportunities in industrial sectors may provide higher compensation for EMTs in Plano compared to more traditional EMS roles.
About the Plano Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28,798 | $13.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32,765 | $15.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $40,165 | $19.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45,457 | $21.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57,244 | $27.52 |
Median Salary Position
14.65% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Plano
In Plano, TX, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,446 (2026 est.). At $40,165, the local median is 14.65% below the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Plano: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Plano Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Plano median: $40,165/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Plano Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $38,435 | +4.50% more |
| National Average | $47,058 | -14.65% less |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Plano, TX earn a median of $40,165 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.65% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 4.50% above the Texas state average of $38,435.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Plano 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.
Plano, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A emergency medical technician earning $40,165 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $41,839 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$30,274
2025 BLS Actual
$37,956
2026 Current Est.
$40,165
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Plano (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $30,274 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,307 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,228 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,108 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,956 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,165 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,503 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Plano metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $30,274 (2021) to $37,956 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,503 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,229 (40.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Plano 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) | $28,798 – $32,765 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $32,765 – $40,165 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $40,165 – $45,457 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $45,457 – $57,244 |
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 Plano
Currently, 57 emergency medical technicians are employed in Plano, which illustrates a modest demand in the local market. With a cost of living index of 96, salaries may stretch further in this city than they would in high-cost areas, making the purchasing power more favorable for EMTs. Among the highest-paying positions, municipal fire departments tend to offer competitive wages due to strong union agreements, effectively resulting in EMT pay that is 2-3 times greater than private ambulance companies. Moreover, opportunities for overtime and shift differentials can substantially impact total earnings. To maximize pay in Plano, EMTs should consider pursuing the EMT-to-paramedic bridge pathway, as paramedic roles generally command higher wages. Additionally, exploring roles with industrial medics may offer substantial hourly compensation, with reported earnings reaching $50-$70 per hour in well-paying sectors.
More salary data for Plano, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do emergency medical technicians make in Plano, TX in 2026?
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Can emergency medical technicians make $100K in Plano?
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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 $37,956 for emergency medical techniciansin the Plano 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 Plano 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