EMT Salary

La Vista vs Lincoln: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

Compare emergency medical technician salaries between La Vista, NE and Lincoln, NE. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

La Vista, NE
$40,094
$19.28/hr
Lincoln, NE
$37,905
$18.22/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLa Vista, NELincoln, NE
Median Salary$40,094$37,905
Hourly Rate$19.28$18.22
Entry Level (P10)$33,781$37,905
25th Percentile$35,877$37,905
75th Percentile$44,150$37,905
Top Earner (P90)$53,268$49,217
Total Employed640
Side-by-side bar chart comparing La Vista ($40,094) and Lincoln ($37,905) emergency medical technician salaries.La VistaLincolnMedian Salary$40,094$37,905Entry Level (P10)$33,781$37,905Top Earner (P90)$53,268$49,217US Median $47,058

Verdict

La Vista, NE offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Lincoln.

The salary gap between La Vista and Lincoln is $2,189 (5.77%). La Vista's median is -14.80% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in La Vista spans $19,487,Lincoln spans $11,312. La Vista has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

La Vista
P10 (Entry)$33,781
P25$35,877
Median$40,094
P75$44,150
P90 (Top)$53,268
Lincoln
P10 (Entry)$37,905
P25$37,905
Median$37,905
P75$37,905
P90 (Top)$49,217

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, La Vista ($43,819 effective) pays 5.87% more than Lincoln ($41,390 effective).

La Vista
Nominal: $40,094
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $43,819
Lincoln
Nominal: $37,905
CoL Index: 91.581
Adjusted: $41,390

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose La Vista if…

  • Higher median salary ($40,094/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($53,268)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $43,819)
  • You prefer the Nebraska area and lifestyle

Choose Lincoln if…

  • Larger job market (40 employed)
  • You prefer the Nebraska area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in La Vista grew 30.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 10.6% growth in Lincoln over the same period.

La Vista, NE

+30.8%

$28,969 (2024) → $37,889 (2025)

Lincoln, NE

+10.6%

$32,373 (2024) → $35,820 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: La Vista or Lincoln?

La Vista has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $40,094/year, compared to Lincoln at $37,905/year — a difference of $2,189 (5.77%).

What is the hourly rate difference between La Vista and Lincoln?

La Vista emergency medical technicians earn $19.28/hr while Lincoln hygienists earn $18.22/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from La Vista to Lincoln as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing La Vista and Lincoln. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: La Vista = $43,819, Lincoln = $41,390), job availability (6 vs 40 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in La Vista vs Lincoln?

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $33,781 in La Vista and $37,905 in Lincoln. The Lincoln 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