EMT Salary

Hammond vs Lafayette: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

Compare emergency medical technician salaries between Hammond, IN and Lafayette, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Hammond, IN
$41,296
$19.85/hr
Lafayette, IN
$41,344
$19.87/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHammond, INLafayette, IN
Median Salary$41,296$41,344
Hourly Rate$19.85$19.87
Entry Level (P10)$32,299$34,571
25th Percentile$35,427$39,947
75th Percentile$47,438$47,947
Top Earner (P90)$59,100$49,979
Total Employed20140
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hammond ($41,296) and Lafayette ($41,344) emergency medical technician salaries.HammondLafayetteMedian Salary$41,296$41,344Entry Level (P10)$32,299$34,571Top Earner (P90)$59,100$49,979US Median $47,058

Verdict

Lafayette, IN offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Hammond.

The salary gap between Hammond and Lafayette is $48 (0.12%). Lafayette's median is -12.14% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hammond spans $26,801,Lafayette spans $15,408. Hammond has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Hammond
P10 (Entry)$32,299
P25$35,427
Median$41,296
P75$47,438
P90 (Top)$59,100
Lafayette
P10 (Entry)$34,571
P25$39,947
Median$41,344
P75$47,947
P90 (Top)$49,979

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Hammond ($45,231 effective) pays 2.21% more than Lafayette ($44,251 effective).

Hammond
Nominal: $41,296
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $45,231
Lafayette
Nominal: $41,344
CoL Index: 93.43
Adjusted: $44,251

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hammond if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($59,100)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $45,231)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Lafayette if…

  • Higher median salary ($41,344/year)
  • Larger job market (140 employed)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Hammond grew 22.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 33.2% growth in Lafayette over the same period.

Hammond, IN

+22.1%

$31,971 (2024) → $39,025 (2025)

Lafayette, IN

+33.2%

$29,340 (2021) → $39,070 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Hammond or Lafayette?

Lafayette has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $41,344/year, compared to Hammond at $41,296/year — a difference of $48 (0.12%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hammond and Lafayette?

Hammond emergency medical technicians earn $19.85/hr while Lafayette hygienists earn $19.87/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hammond to Lafayette as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hammond and Lafayette. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hammond = $45,231, Lafayette = $44,251), job availability (20 vs 140 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Hammond vs Lafayette?

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $32,299 in Hammond and $34,571 in Lafayette. The Lafayette area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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