EMT Salary

Shreveport vs Zachary: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

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

Shreveport, LA
$33,450
$16.08/hr
Zachary, LA
$35,297
$16.97/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricShreveport, LAZachary, LA
Median Salary$33,450$35,297
Hourly Rate$16.08$16.97
Entry Level (P10)$26,772$29,783
25th Percentile$28,444$31,533
75th Percentile$39,958$37,541
Top Earner (P90)$47,651$47,941
Total Employed2306
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Shreveport ($33,450) and Zachary ($35,297) emergency medical technician salaries.ShreveportZacharyMedian Salary$33,450$35,297Entry Level (P10)$26,772$29,783Top Earner (P90)$47,651$47,941US Median $47,058

Verdict

Zachary, LA offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Shreveport.

The salary gap between Shreveport and Zachary is $1,847 (5.52%). Zachary's median is -24.99% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Shreveport spans $20,879,Zachary spans $18,158. Shreveport has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Shreveport
P10 (Entry)$26,772
P25$28,444
Median$33,450
P75$39,958
P90 (Top)$47,651
Zachary
P10 (Entry)$29,783
P25$31,533
Median$35,297
P75$37,541
P90 (Top)$47,941

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Shreveport ($39,462 effective) pays 0.95% more than Zachary ($39,089 effective).

Shreveport
Nominal: $33,450
CoL Index: 84.766
Adjusted: $39,462
Zachary
Nominal: $35,297
CoL Index: 90.3
Adjusted: $39,089

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Shreveport if…

  • Larger job market (230 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $39,462)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Choose Zachary if…

  • Higher median salary ($35,297/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($47,941)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Shreveport grew 8.5% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 24.1% growth in Zachary over the same period.

Shreveport, LA

+8.5%

$29,130 (2021) → $31,610 (2025)

Zachary, LA

+24.1%

$26,874 (2024) → $33,356 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Shreveport or Zachary?

Zachary has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $35,297/year, compared to Shreveport at $33,450/year — a difference of $1,847 (5.52%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Shreveport and Zachary?

Shreveport emergency medical technicians earn $16.08/hr while Zachary hygienists earn $16.97/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Shreveport to Zachary as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Shreveport and Zachary. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Shreveport = $39,462, Zachary = $39,089), job availability (230 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Shreveport vs Zachary?

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $26,772 in Shreveport and $29,783 in Zachary. The Zachary 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