Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Lafayette, IN: $19.87 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Lafayette, IN runs $19.87 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $41,344 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Lafayette's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.27 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,801 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lafayette, an emergency medical technician's hourly pay is projected to reach $19.87 in 2026, which is lower than the national median hourly rate of $22.62. This discrepancy reflects local conditions such as the cost of living, which is indexed at 93.43, indicating that Lafayette's expenses are below the national average. For part-time EMTs working three days a week, this hourly rate translates to a manageable income, allowing for flexible scheduling while still being financially viable. EMTs working per diem in various environments—such as ambulance settings, fire department medical bays, and event medical services—can experience an hourly pay range from $16.62 at entry-level positions to as high as $24.03 for top earners. These figures are sourced from official 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected into 2026.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.62 | $132.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.21 | $153.65 |
| Median (P50) | $19.87 | $158.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.06 | $184.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $24.03 | $192.25 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lafayette
Based on $19.87/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.87/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lafayette, IN can expect to earn approximately $41,336 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,848. With a cost-of-living index of 93.43 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lafayette.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lafayette
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $794.92 | $3,445 | $41,336 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $476.95 | $2,067 | $24,801 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $317.97 | $1,378 | $16,534 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Lafayette) | $19.87 |
| Paramedic (National Avg) | $27.18 |
| Nursing Assistant (National Avg) | $18.62 |
| Firefighter (National Avg) | $26.89 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.25 |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Lafayette, IN earn a median of $41,344 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.14% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 2.60% below the Indiana state average of $42,448.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.87/hr = $24,801/year (purchasing power: $26,546).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $41,336/year (purchasing power: $44,243).
CoL index: 93.43 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$14.11/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.78/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.87/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+49.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Lafayette (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $14.11/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.60/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $16.38/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.11/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.78/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.87/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.03/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Lafayette grew 33.1% from $14.11/hr (2021) to $18.78/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.03/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem emergency medical technicians can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lafayette metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.82% CAGR derived from 5-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Emergency Medical Technician in Lafayette
When examining the earning potential of emergency medical technicians in Lafayette, part-time workers earning an hourly wage may find themselves bringing home significantly less than their full-time counterparts. A typical EMT on a 24-hour week could expect an annual take-home pay that reflects their reduced hours. Meanwhile, per diem or agency EMTs have more lucrative options, as they often charge between $20 and $32 hourly in private sectors, and oil-field medics might command rates anywhere from $40 to $70 per hour based on working conditions. The variety of employers—ranging from private ambulance services to municipal fire departments—can create significant pay disparities. Some EMTs opt for jobs offering lower hourly wages yet superior health insurance benefits, weighing the trade-offs of guaranteed income against health coverage. For those exploring hourly negotiations, showing experience or certifications such as NREMT can strengthen a position, allowing for better compensation discussions in Lafayette.
More salary data for Lafayette, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for emergency medical technicians in Lafayette. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.82%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for emergency medical technicians (SOC 29-2042).
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