EMT Salary

Baton Rouge vs Natchitoches: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

Compare emergency medical technician salaries between Baton Rouge, LA and Natchitoches, LA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Baton Rouge, LA
$38,148
$18.34/hr
Natchitoches, LA
$35,466
$17.05/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBaton Rouge, LANatchitoches, LA
Median Salary$38,148$35,466
Hourly Rate$18.34$17.05
Entry Level (P10)$29,905$30,094
25th Percentile$31,820$31,890
75th Percentile$48,540$37,889
Top Earner (P90)$66,190$47,352
Total Employed4306
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Baton Rouge ($38,148) and Natchitoches ($35,466) emergency medical technician salaries.Baton RougeNatchitochesMedian Salary$38,148$35,466Entry Level (P10)$29,905$30,094Top Earner (P90)$66,190$47,352US Median $47,058

Verdict

Baton Rouge, LA offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Natchitoches.

The salary gap between Baton Rouge and Natchitoches is $2,682 (7.56%). Baton Rouge's median is -18.93% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Baton Rouge spans $36,285,Natchitoches spans $17,258. Baton Rouge has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Baton Rouge
P10 (Entry)$29,905
P25$31,820
Median$38,148
P75$48,540
P90 (Top)$66,190
Natchitoches
P10 (Entry)$30,094
P25$31,890
Median$35,466
P75$37,889
P90 (Top)$47,352

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Baton Rouge ($42,022 effective) pays 6.99% more than Natchitoches ($39,276 effective).

Baton Rouge
Nominal: $38,148
CoL Index: 90.78
Adjusted: $42,022
Natchitoches
Nominal: $35,466
CoL Index: 90.3
Adjusted: $39,276

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Baton Rouge if…

  • Higher median salary ($38,148/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($66,190)
  • Larger job market (430 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $42,022)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Choose Natchitoches if…

  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Baton Rouge grew 17.3% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 24.1% growth in Natchitoches over the same period.

Baton Rouge, LA

+17.3%

$30,730 (2021) → $36,050 (2025)

Natchitoches, LA

+24.1%

$27,003 (2024) → $33,515 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Baton Rouge or Natchitoches?

Baton Rouge has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $38,148/year, compared to Natchitoches at $35,466/year — a difference of $2,682 (7.56%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Baton Rouge and Natchitoches?

Baton Rouge emergency medical technicians earn $18.34/hr while Natchitoches hygienists earn $17.05/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Baton Rouge to Natchitoches as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Baton Rouge and Natchitoches. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Baton Rouge = $42,022, Natchitoches = $39,276), job availability (430 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Baton Rouge vs Natchitoches?

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $29,905 in Baton Rouge and $30,094 in Natchitoches. The Natchitoches area offers higher starting salaries.
AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Mendoza, EMT-BData verified by Fatima Ali, EMT-I

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.82% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

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