Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Ruston, LA: $17.54 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Ruston, LA runs $17.54 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $36,496 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Ruston's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.3, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $19.43 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $21,896 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ruston, Louisiana, emergency medical technicians can expect to earn a median hourly pay of $17.54, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $22.62. For part-time workers, often employed three days a week, this rate translates to approximately $704 before taxes on a typical 24-hour schedule, a figure that may challenge those relying solely on this income. Per-diem positions in settings such as ambulances, fire department medical bays, or hospital emergency departments offer varying experiences, with entry-level EMTs starting at $14.34 and top earners reaching $23.33. This range highlights the pay disparity across various roles and employers in the region, driven by factors such as local budget allocations and the job's demanding nature.
About the Ruston 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) | $14.34 | $114.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $15.32 | $122.58 |
| Median (P50) | $17.54 | $140.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $19.33 | $154.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $23.33 | $186.67 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ruston
Based on $17.54/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $17.54/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ruston, LA can expect to earn approximately $36,494 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $21,054. With a cost-of-living index of 90.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Ruston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ruston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $701.80 | $3,041 | $36,494 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $421.08 | $1,825 | $21,896 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $280.72 | $1,216 | $14,597 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Ruston) | $17.54 |
| 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 Ruston, LA earn a median of $36,496 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.44% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 3.80% below the Louisiana state average of $37,938.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $17.54/hr = $21,896/year (purchasing power: $24,248).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $36,494/year (purchasing power: $40,414).
CoL index: 90.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$13.22/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$16.58/hr
2026 Current Est.
$17.54/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Ruston (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $13.22/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $13.68/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $14.51/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $13.36/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $16.58/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $17.54/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $18.57/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Ruston grew 25.4% from $13.22/hr (2021) to $16.58/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $18.57/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 Ruston 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 Ruston
Taking into account part-time opportunities versus full-time positions, an emergency medical technician working three days a week might earn around $36,608 annually, a significant difference compared to full-time EMTs who earn throughout the week. Per-diem emergency medical technician pay in Ruston can range widely, with private companies often billing rates between $20 and $32 per hour, while industrial and oil-field medic roles can pay anywhere from $40 to $70 per hour depending on the job's location and requirements. The variability in hourly rates also extends to employer types, with municipal fire departments often providing better compensation and benefits than private ambulance services. Consequently, some EMTs opt for positions that equip them with health insurance despite lower hourly wages, while others prioritize higher compensation without such benefits. When negotiating pay, understanding the specific employer's compensation structure and the local demand for emergency medical services can greatly influence an EMT's earning potential in Ruston.
More salary data for Ruston, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Ruston in 2026?
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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 Ruston. 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 Ruston 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