Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Lafayette, LA: $38,956 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Lafayette, LA earns a median $38,956/year (≈ $18.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Lafayette's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $43,141 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% above the Louisiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lafayette, Louisiana, the projected median annual salary for emergency medical technicians (EMTs) in 2026 is estimated to be $38,956. This figure highlights a significant gap when compared to the national median salary of $47,058, indicating that EMT pay in Lafayette is about 17.22% lower than the national average. The salary range for local EMTs extends from $28,918 at the 10th percentile to $54,226 at the 90th percentile, suggesting a diverse pay scale among positions and employers. Compensation can vary widely based on the type of employer; fire departments, particularly those with union contracts, tend to offer higher salaries compared to private ambulance services. As Lafayette's job market is stable, understanding these salary dynamics is essential for both current and aspiring EMTs in the region.
About the Lafayette Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($32,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28,918 | $13.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33,808 | $16.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $38,956 | $18.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43,536 | $20.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54,226 | $26.07 |
Median Salary Position
17.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lafayette
In Lafayette, LA, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,308 (2026 est.). At $38,956, the local median is 17.22% below the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lafayette: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lafayette Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Lafayette median: $38,956/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lafayette Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $37,968 | +2.60% more |
| National Average | $47,058 | -17.22% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lafayette has a cost of living 9.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lafayette, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A emergency medical technician earning $38,956 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $43,141 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.74% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$29,363
2025 BLS Actual
$36,813
2026 Current Est.
$38,956
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $29,363 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,364 | Actual |
| 2023 | $32,227 | Actual |
| 2024 | $29,660 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,813 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,956 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,223 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lafayette metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $29,363 (2021) to $36,813 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $41,223 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,860 (40.39%) from 2021.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $28,918 – $33,808 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $33,808 – $38,956 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $38,956 – $43,536 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $43,536 – $54,226 |
EMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual emergency medical technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Emergency Medical Technician Job Market in Lafayette
Within Lafayette’s local job market, 18 emergency medical technicians are currently employed, reflecting a niche yet vital segment of the healthcare workforce. The area's cost of living index is 90.3, which is below the national average, impacting the purchasing power of EMTs in Lafayette. This means that while salaries may appear modest compared to national standards, the local cost of living could offer a relative comfort. Historically, municipal fire departments might offer the highest wages, particularly for cross-trained firefighter-EMTs, while private ambulance companies lag behind considerably. The disparity in pay between sectors can be attributed to various factors, including shift differentials, overtime opportunities, and progression pathways from EMT to paramedic. To maximize compensation, aspiring EMTs should consider gaining certifications, exploring roles in higher-paying sectors like oil-field medical services, and seeking out opportunities with municipal or unionized employers.
More salary data for Lafayette, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do emergency medical technicians make in Lafayette, LA in 2026?
Is Lafayette, LA a good place to work as a emergency medical technician?
Can emergency medical technicians make $100K in Lafayette?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted emergency medical technician salary in Lafayette?
How much does a emergency medical technician make per hour in Lafayette?
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $36,813 for emergency medical techniciansin the Lafayette metropolitan area. A 5.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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