Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Temple, TX: $37,753 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Temple, TX earns a median $37,753/year (โ $18.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 โ projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Temple's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $39,326 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates ยท View source

In 2026, the projected annual income for emergency medical technicians in Temple, Texas, reaches approximately $37,753. This figure is considerably lower than the national average of $47,058, highlighting a local nuance in pay scale. The salary range for EMTs in this region spans from $30,128 at the 10th percentile to $53,450 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost-of-living, which figures in at an index of 96, indicating that the cost of living in Temple is somewhat below the national average. For EMTs considering advancement, transitioning from EMT to paramedic can significantly impact earning potential and job responsibilities, creating a clearer career trajectory within local emergency services.
About the Temple Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30,128 | $14.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32,808 | $15.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $37,753 | $18.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42,933 | $20.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53,450 | $25.69 |
Median Salary Position
19.77% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Temple
In Temple, TX, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,322 (2026 est.). At $37,753, the local median is 19.77% below the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Temple: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Temple Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Temple median: $37,753/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Temple Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $38,445 | -1.80% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | -19.77% less |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Temple, TX earn a median of $37,753 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.77% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 1.80% below the Texas state average of $38,445.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Temple has a cost of living 4.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal ร (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Temple, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A emergency medical technician earning $37,753 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $39,326 in an average-cost city โ an effective 4.17% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$28,457
2025 BLS Actual
$35,677
2026 Current Est.
$37,753
2021โ2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Temple (2021โ2027)
2021โ2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $28,457 | Actual |
| 2022 | $29,427 | Actual |
| 2023 | $31,232 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,819 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,677 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37,753 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39,951 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Temple metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $28,457 (2021) to $35,677 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $39,951 by 2027 โ a total increase of $11,494 (40.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021โ2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Temple metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026โ2026 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) | $30,128 โ $32,808 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $32,808 โ $37,753 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $37,753 โ $42,933 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $42,933 โ $53,450 |
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 Temple
The job market in Temple currently employs a modest 14 emergency medical technicians, reflecting a tight but specialized workforce. The cost of living index suggests that while the salaries may be lower compared to national standards, the purchasing power remains reasonable. For those seeking higher compensation, private ambulance services, municipal fire departments, and hospital-based EMS generally represent the most lucrative employment sectors. The disparity in pay between various employers often stems from differences in funding mechanisms, shift differentials, and the opportunities for overtime work, especially in fire department jobs where union contracts prevail. To enhance earnings, EMTs in Temple might consider pursuing additional certifications, advancing to paramedic status, or exploring positions in industrial and oil-field medic roles, which can offer higher hourly wages as the demand in those sectors remains strong.
More salary data for Temple, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do emergency medical technicians make in Temple, TX in 2026?
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Can emergency medical technicians make $100K in Temple?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted emergency medical technician salary in Temple?
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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 $35,677 for emergency medical techniciansin the Temple 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 (P10โP90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Temple 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. ยท View source data at BLS.gov