Paramedic in Louisiana: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Public safety

Louisiana employs 2,040 paramedics, with a statewide median of $56,050 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Louisiana licensing picture, and where to train.

What Paramedics Earn in Louisiana (May 2025)

Louisiana median pay: $56,050 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $37,530
Experienced (75th percentile): $61,080
Top earners (90th percentile): $63,470
Employed in Louisiana: 2,040
U.S. median (for comparison): $58,410 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for paramedics in major Louisiana markets:

Lafayette: $61,880 (370 employed)
New Orleans: $59,210 (350 employed)
Slidell: $58,520 (80 employed)
Baton Rouge: $53,820 (430 employed)
Shreveport: $48,780 (150 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Louisiana

Prices in Louisiana run about 12% below the national average (cost-of-living index 88.2 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $56,050 median stretches to roughly $63,549 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Louisiana (2024–2034)

Louisiana is projected to shrink paramedics employment -1.5%, slower than the +5.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 90 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Louisiana License and Certification Requirements

Paramedic certification/licensure — regulated by the Louisiana Department of Health — Bureau of EMS.

First earn your EMT certification.
Complete a CAAHEP-accredited paramedic program (1–2 years with field and hospital rotations).
Pass the NREMT-Paramedic exam and obtain Louisiana paramedic credentialing through the Bureau of EMS.

Official requirements: Louisiana Department of Health — Bureau of EMS →

Training in Louisiana

Paramedic is the pay/scope step up from EMT. Ambulance services, hospitals, and fire departments hire steadily.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Louisiana include:

Baton Rouge Community College — Certificate / Associate
Baton Rouge General Medical Center School of Nursing & School of Radiologic Technology — Certificate
Bossier Parish Community College — Certificate / Associate
Central Louisiana Technical Community College — Certificate

Where Paramedics Work in Louisiana

Real Louisiana EMS agencies that employ paramedics include:

Acadian Ambulance Service Incorporated - Abbeville Station — Abbeville
Airmed Station 6 — Abita Springs
Acadian Ambulance Service Incorporated - Mac Arthur Drive Station — Alexandria
Acadian Ambulance Service Incorporated - Monroe Street Station — Alexandria
Med Express Ambulance Service Incorporated — Alexandria
Acadian Ambulance Service Incorporated - Amite Station — Amite

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: Calm, service-oriented people who can handle urgent, unpredictable work.

Think twice if: You need routine hours, low stress, or low physical demand.

Why it's resilient: Emergency response depends on physical presence, judgment under pressure, patient care, and local systems.

First Steps

Start with EMT training, then compare paramedic programs and local EMS employers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do paramedics make in Louisiana?

The median wage for paramedics in Louisiana is $56,050 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $37,530, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $63,470. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Paramedic in Louisiana?

Paramedic certification/licensure, overseen by the Louisiana Department of Health — Bureau of EMS. First earn your EMT certification.

Is being a Paramedic a good career in Louisiana?

Emergency response depends on physical presence, judgment under pressure, patient care, and local systems.

Which Louisiana metros pay paramedics the most?

Among Louisiana metro areas, Lafayette leads at $61,880, followed by New Orleans ($59,210), Slidell ($58,520). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become a Paramedic in Louisiana?

Real Louisiana options include Baton Rouge Community College, Baton Rouge General Medical Center School of Nursing & School of Radiologic Technology, Bossier Parish Community College. Most paramedics start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Paramedic a growing career in Louisiana?

Louisiana projects paramedics employment to change -1.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 90 openings a year — a declining field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Louisiana statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2043. Licensing summary compiled from the Louisiana Department of Health — Bureau of EMS (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Louisiana wages · Louisiana licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.