EMT Salary

Lafayette vs Marion: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

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

Lafayette, IN
$41,344
$19.87/hr
Marion, IN
$41,032
$19.72/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLafayette, INMarion, IN
Median Salary$41,344$41,032
Hourly Rate$19.87$19.72
Entry Level (P10)$34,571$34,022
25th Percentile$39,947$36,433
75th Percentile$47,947$44,653
Top Earner (P90)$49,979$54,056
Total Employed1405
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lafayette ($41,344) and Marion ($41,032) emergency medical technician salaries.LafayetteMarionMedian Salary$41,344$41,032Entry Level (P10)$34,571$34,022Top Earner (P90)$49,979$54,056US Median $47,058

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Lafayette and Marion is $312 (0.76%). 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 Lafayette spans $15,408,Marion spans $20,034. Marion has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced emergency medical technicians.

Lafayette
P10 (Entry)$34,571
P25$39,947
Median$41,344
P75$47,947
P90 (Top)$49,979
Marion
P10 (Entry)$34,022
P25$36,433
Median$41,032
P75$44,653
P90 (Top)$54,056

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Marion ($44,942 effective) pays 1.56% more than Lafayette ($44,251 effective).

Lafayette
Nominal: $41,344
CoL Index: 93.43
Adjusted: $44,251
Marion
Nominal: $41,032
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $44,942

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Lafayette if…

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

Choose Marion if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($54,056)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $44,942)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Lafayette grew 33.2% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 22.1% growth in Marion over the same period.

Lafayette, IN

+33.2%

$29,340 (2021) → $39,070 (2025)

Marion, IN

+22.1%

$31,766 (2024) → $38,775 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Lafayette has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $41,344/year, compared to Marion at $41,032/year — a difference of $312 (0.76%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lafayette and Marion?

Lafayette emergency medical technicians earn $19.87/hr while Marion hygienists earn $19.72/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lafayette and Marion. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lafayette = $44,251, Marion = $44,942), job availability (140 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $34,571 in Lafayette and $34,022 in Marion. 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