This study compares emergency department (ED) pain management expectations in Hispanic versus non-Hispanic white patients with painful conditions. A prospective convenience sample of patients was enrolled at a university ED. Patient expectations of pain relief were recorded on a 100-mm visual analogue scale (VAS). Surveys from 58 Hispanics and 408 non-Hispanic whites were completed and used for data analysis. Sample size was adequate to detect a minimum difference in pain relief of 13 mm. Both groups had similar chief complaints and degree of pain at presentation. Their demographics differed in age and language spoken. Mean expectations for pain relief were not significantly different (76mm [95% confidence interval (CI) 70-82] and 72mm [95% CI 70-74]) between Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites, respectively. Mean expectations of a reasonable time to wait for pain medications were also not significantly different (31 minutes [95% CI 28-33] and 33 minutes [95% CI 26-48]) between Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites, respectively.