Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Lafayette, LA: $18.73 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Lafayette, LA runs $18.73 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $38,956 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 90.3, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $20.74 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $23,375 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Emergency Medical Technicians in Lafayette, Louisiana, can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $18.73 in 2026, which is significantly lower than the national median of $22.62. This discrepancy highlights the financial landscape for part-time and per diem workers in this occupation, who often engage in various work environments such as ambulance compartments, hospital emergency departments, or event medical tents. The hourly pay range in Lafayette spans from about $13.90 for entry-level positions to $26.07 for more experienced technicians. This means newer EMTs may find themselves in challenging financial situations, while top earners can secure a more comfortable lifestyle. It's essential to factor in that these hourly estimates are derived from annual salary data, reflecting the broader economic conditions in the region.
About the Lafayette Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($32,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $13.90 | $111.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $16.25 | $130.03 |
| Median (P50) | $18.73 | $149.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $20.93 | $167.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $26.07 | $208.59 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lafayette
Based on $18.73/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $18.73/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lafayette, LA can expect to earn approximately $38,959 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $22,476. With a cost-of-living index of 90.30 (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) | $749.21 | $3,247 | $38,959 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $449.52 | $1,948 | $23,375 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $299.68 | $1,299 | $15,583 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Lafayette) | $18.73 |
| 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, LA earn a median of $38,956 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.22% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 2.60% above the Louisiana state average of $37,968.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $18.73/hr = $23,375/year (purchasing power: $25,886).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $38,959/year (purchasing power: $43,144).
CoL index: 90.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$14.12/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.70/hr
2026 Current Est.
$18.73/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
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 | $14.12/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $14.60/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $15.49/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $14.26/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.70/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $18.73/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19.82/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Lafayette grew 25.4% from $14.12/hr (2021) to $17.70/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $19.82/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
Part-time emergency medical technicians working three days a week, totaling 24 hours, can anticipate taking home around $26,688 annually, which is substantially less than their full-time counterparts. However, per diem options present a mixed bag of earnings potential; local EMTs providing services at events typically charge between $20 and $32 per hour, while oil-field medics can earn $40 to $70 per hour depending on the job's location. The variation in hourly rates is influenced by the employer type, with private ambulance services like AMR or GMR typically offering less than municipal fire departments, which often provide better compensation due to union negotiations. Some EMTs may choose lower hourly pay with benefits over higher rates without health coverage, creating a trade-off that influences job selection. Negotiation is key in this market; potential employees should research typical pay rates and be prepared to discuss qualifications and local needs to secure the best possible hourly pay in Lafayette.
More salary data for Lafayette, LA:
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
Salary data for Lafayette is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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