Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Baton Rouge, LA: $18.34 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Baton Rouge, LA runs $18.34 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $38,148 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Baton Rouge's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.8, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $20.20 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $22,887 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Emergency medical technicians in Baton Rouge, LA, earn a median hourly rate of $18.34, which falls below the national median of $22.62. This hourly rate is a critical factor for part-time and per-diem workers in the region, who might find themselves in diverse settings such as ambulance patient compartments, fire engine medical bays, or hospital emergency departments. The hourly pay range for EMTs in Baton Rouge spans from $14.38 for entry-level positions to $31.82 for the most experienced practitioners. According to estimates based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, this reflects both the local demand for emergency services and the competition within the job market. Given the cost of living index in Baton Rouge is 90.78, below the national average, the earnings here could stretch further than in higher-cost locations.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $14.38 | $115.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $15.30 | $122.41 |
| Median (P50) | $18.34 | $146.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.33 | $186.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $31.82 | $254.56 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Baton Rouge
Based on $18.34/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $18.34/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Baton Rouge, LA can expect to earn approximately $38,144 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $22,006. With a cost-of-living index of 90.78 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Baton Rouge.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Baton Rouge
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $733.54 | $3,179 | $38,144 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $440.13 | $1,907 | $22,887 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $293.42 | $1,271 | $15,258 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Baton Rouge) | $18.34 |
| 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 Baton Rouge, LA earn a median of $38,148 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.93% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 0.50% above the Louisiana state average of $37,958.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $18.34/hr = $22,887/year (purchasing power: $25,211).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $38,144/year (purchasing power: $42,018).
CoL index: 90.78 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$14.77/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.33/hr
2026 Current Est.
$18.34/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+31.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Baton Rouge (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $14.77/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.50/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $16.44/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $15.79/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.33/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $18.34/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19.41/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Baton Rouge grew 17.3% from $14.77/hr (2021) to $17.33/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $19.41/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 Baton Rouge 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 Baton Rouge
Considering the potential for part-time work, an EMT working three days a week, totaling 24 hours, may earn about $20,000 annually. This contrasts with full-time counterparts who benefit from more consistent hours. Per-diem emergency medical technicians in Baton Rouge have the option to earn between $20 and $32 per hour when contracted through private companies. Those positioned in the oil field, often working a 14/14 rotation, could see rates climb to $40-$70 per hour, depending largely on location and demand. Variations in pay also exist among different employer types, with municipal fire departments typically providing better compensation than private EMS organizations. For many, the choice between lower hourly pay with benefits versus higher hourly rates without benefits entails weighing personal circumstances and career goals. Negotiation strategies in Baton Rouge may include emphasizing one's specific skill set or willingness to work less desirable shifts, which could enhance earnings potential in this competitive environment.
More salary data for Baton Rouge, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Baton Rouge in 2026?
How much do part-time emergency medical technicians make in Baton Rouge?
Are emergency medical technicians in Baton Rouge paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time emergency medical technician make per year in Baton Rouge?
Do emergency medical technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Baton Rouge?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Louisiana
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 Baton Rouge. 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