Emergency Medical Technician Salary in La Crosse, WI: $48,889 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in La Crosse, WI earns a median $48,889/year (≈ $23.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in La Crosse's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $53,274 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For emergency medical technicians in La Crosse, Wisconsin, the projected median annual salary in 2026 is $48,889, which is competitive compared to the national median of $47,058. The salary range for this role varies significantly from $39,302 at the lower end (P10) to $57,439 at the higher end (P90), reflecting the diverse opportunities available in the local market. These figures are derived from official data based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and project growth in this sector to be approximately 5.82% annually over the next five years. The ongoing transition from EMT to paramedic—often marked by increased responsibility and additional training—can further enhance earning potential for those who choose to advance, making the La Crosse job landscape both promising and dynamic.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,302 | $18.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,619 | $20.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,889 | $23.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52,328 | $25.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57,439 | $27.61 |
Median Salary Position
3.89% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in La Crosse
In La Crosse, WI, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $18,137 (2026 est.). At $48,889, the local median is 3.89% above the national median of $47,058.
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At 40 hours/week in La Crosse: You'd be above the median
How La Crosse Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
La Crosse median: $48,889/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | La Crosse Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $47,058 | +3.89% more |
Emergency Medical Technicians in La Crosse, WI earn a median of $48,889 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.89% higher than the national median of $47,058.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
La Crosse has a cost of living 8.23% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
La Crosse, WI has a cost-of-living index of 91.769 (below the national average of 100). A emergency medical technician earning $48,889 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $53,274 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.97% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$36,630
2025 BLS Actual
$46,200
2026 Current Est.
$48,889
2021–2027 Growth
+41.2%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in La Crosse (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $36,630 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,670 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,210 | Actual |
| 2024 | $42,220 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,200 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,889 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,734 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the La Crosse metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 26.1% from $36,630 (2021) to $46,200 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,734 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,104 (41.23%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the La Crosse 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) | $39,302 – $41,619 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,619 – $48,889 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,889 – $52,328 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $52,328 – $57,439 |
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 La Crosse
Analyzing the local job market, there are currently about 120 emergency medical technicians employed in La Crosse. The cost of living index stands at 91.769, suggesting that take-home pay may stretch further than average national salaries. Among the employers that pay the most, municipal fire departments often offer higher compensation compared to private ambulance companies, reflecting differences in union contracts and benefits. The spread in salaries can be attributed to factors such as employer type, varying shift differentials, and opportunities for overtime. Specifically, fire department positions and industrial medic roles tend to compensate more favorably than private ambulance services. For those looking to maximize their earnings in La Crosse, pursuing advanced certifications and considering positions in county EMS systems or inter-facility transports can offer substantial advantages, especially for aspiring paramedics navigating the transition to higher-paying roles.
More salary data for La Crosse, WI:
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 $46,200 for emergency medical techniciansin the La Crosse 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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