How Much Does an EMT Make in Lake Charles, LA in 2026?
Typical pay for EMTs in Lake Charles, from federal wage data (May 2025), with the ten-year trend and how the city compares across Louisiana.
BLS OES May 2025 · Lake Charles metro area
A typical EMT in Lake Charles, Louisiana earns $17.44 per hour, or $36,260 per year, according to the latest government wage data for the area (May 2025). Calculated from the annual figure, that is roughly $3,022 a month. Entry-level positions typically offer around $26,800, and the top 10% of earners make over $46,220.
That pay is 1% above the Louisiana figure of $35,870 and 18% below the national figure of $44,470. Lake Charles ranks 3rd of 8 metro areas in Louisiana for EMT pay. About 80 EMTs work in the Lake Charles area.
EMT pay in Lake Charles at a glance
- Typical pay is $17.44 an hour, or $36,260 a year.
- That is 1% above the Louisiana figure, ranking 3rd of 8 metro areas in the state.
- Entry-level positions typically offer around $26,800; the top 10% make over $46,220.
BLS OES May 2025
How much does an EMT make in Lake Charles?
Pay in Lake Charles runs from entry-level positions at around $12.88 an hour to more than $22.22 for the top 10% of earners. The table sets each career stage against the Louisiana and national figures.
EMT pay by career stage in Lake Charles
| Career stage | Lake Charles | Louisiana | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $26,800$12.88 an hour | $27,390$13.17 an hour | $34,130$16.41 an hour |
| First years | $28,770$13.83 an hour | $29,240$14.06 an hour | $37,960$18.25 an hour |
| Typical EMT | $36,260$17.44 an hour | $35,870$17.25 an hour | $44,470$21.38 an hour |
| Experienced | $43,930$21.12 an hour | $38,110$18.32 an hour | $50,100$24.09 an hour |
| Top 10% | $46,220$22.22 an hour | $46,460$22.34 an hour | $62,500$30.05 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · city figures cover the Lake Charles area as BLS defines it
EMT pay growth in Lake Charles
Typical (median) annual wage for EMTs in the Lake Charles area · BLS OES May estimates, 2022 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
In 2022, typical EMT pay in Lake Charles was $28,220 a year. By 2025 it had reached $36,260.
How Lake Charles compares with other Louisiana cities
Slidell pays EMTs the most in Louisiana at $37,680 a year, $1,420 more than Lake Charles. The lowest-paying area in the state is Bossier City at $31,610.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Lake Charles | EMTs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Slidell metro incl. Covington · Mandeville | $37,680 | $18.11 | +4% | 70 |
| 2 | Bayou Cane | $36,290 | $17.45 | 0% | 70 |
| 3 | Lake Charles | $36,260 | $17.44 | this city | 80 |
| 4 | Baton Rouge | $36,050 | $17.33 | -1% | 430 |
| 5 | Alexandria | $35,680 | $17.16 | -2% | 100 |
| 6 | Metairie metro incl. New Orleans | $35,180 | $16.91 | -3% | 420 |
| 7 | Monroe | $34,230 | $16.46 | -6% | 120 |
| 8 | Shreveport metro incl. Bossier City | $31,610 | $15.20 | -13% | 230 |
Every metro area in Louisiana with EMT wage data · BLS OES May 2025 · Louisiana typical pay $35,870
Is Lake Charles a good place to work as an EMT?
EMTs in Lake Charles earn less than the national figure: typical pay is $36,260 a year, 18% below the national rate. For every 1,000 jobs in the Lake Charles area, about 0.8 are EMT positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 1.2. That makes EMTs a smaller part of the local job market than usual, so employers draw from a smaller pool of qualified candidates.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does an EMT make in Lake Charles, LA?
- A typical EMT in Lake Charles earns $36,260 a year, or $17.44 an hour, according to BLS wage data for May 2025. Entry-level pay runs about $26,800 and the top 10% earn over $46,220.
- How much does an EMT make an hour in Lake Charles?
- Typical hourly pay for EMTs in Lake Charles is $17.44. Entry-level hourly pay runs about $12.88, and the top 10% earn over $22.22 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for an EMT in Lake Charles?
- Entry-level EMT positions in Lake Charles typically offer around $12.88 an hour, or $26,800 a year.
- Is EMT pay in Lake Charles higher than in the rest of Louisiana?
- Lake Charles pay is 1% above the Louisiana figure of $35,870 a year, ranking 3rd of 8 metro areas in the state. Slidell pays the most in Louisiana at $37,680.