Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Metairie, LA: $37,363 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Metairie, LA earns a median $37,363/year (≈ $17.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Metairie's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $41,377 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Louisiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, emergency medical technicians (EMTs) in Metairie, LA, can expect a median annual salary of $37,363, which represents a significant disparity when compared to the national median of $47,058. The salary range for EMTs in the area varies considerably, from $26,958 at the 10th percentile to approximately $54,760 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the diverse opportunities available. These figures are derived from projections based on 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional price levels. While Metairie has a concentrated job market with 23 emergency medical technicians employed, the city presents unique challenges and opportunities regarding compensation in this sector, particularly influenced by the presence of industrial and oil-field medic positions that command higher wages.
About the Metairie Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($32,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26,958 | $12.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32,675 | $15.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $37,363 | $17.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42,039 | $20.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54,760 | $26.33 |
Median Salary Position
20.6% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Metairie
In Metairie, LA, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,802 (2026 est.). At $37,363, the local median is 20.6% below the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Metairie: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Metairie Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Metairie median: $37,363/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Metairie Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $37,970 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | -20.60% less |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Metairie, LA earn a median of $37,363 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.60% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 1.60% below the Louisiana state average of $37,970.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Metairie 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.
Metairie, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A emergency medical technician earning $37,363 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $41,377 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.74% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$28,162
2025 BLS Actual
$35,308
2026 Current Est.
$37,363
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Metairie (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $28,162 | Actual |
| 2022 | $29,123 | Actual |
| 2023 | $30,909 | Actual |
| 2024 | $29,291 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,308 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37,363 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39,537 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Metairie metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $28,162 (2021) to $35,308 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $39,537 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,375 (40.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Metairie 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) | $26,958 – $32,675 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $32,675 – $37,363 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $37,363 – $42,039 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $42,039 – $54,760 |
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 Metairie
With a cost of living index of 90.3, Metairie offers EMTs a relatively favorable economic landscape for their salary. Local employers range from private ambulance services like AMR and GMR to municipal fire departments, where cross-trained firefighter-EMTs can earn substantially more due to union contracts that often provide better pay and benefits. The pay gap between various employer types is significant; fire department EMTs generally out-earn their counterparts in private ambulance services, which have lagged behind inflation. This wage disparity is driven by factors such as shift differentials, overtime, and opportunities for advancement within the EMT-to-paramedic bridge program. To maximize earnings, EMTs in Metairie should consider pursuing certifications, seeking positions in higher-paying municipal services, and exploring industries that offer additional premiums, such as event medical services or industrial employment.
More salary data for Metairie, 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
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 $35,308 for emergency medical techniciansin the Metairie 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 Metairie 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