EMT Salary

Dalton vs Macon: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

Compare emergency medical technician salaries between Dalton, GA and Macon, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Dalton, GA
$44,111
$21.21/hr
Macon, GA
$48,444
$23.29/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDalton, GAMacon, GA
Median Salary$44,111$48,444
Hourly Rate$21.21$23.29
Entry Level (P10)$36,523$38,910
25th Percentile$39,093$39,661
75th Percentile$47,916$48,984
Top Earner (P90)$58,133$49,947
Total Employed7250
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dalton ($44,111) and Macon ($48,444) emergency medical technician salaries.DaltonMaconMedian Salary$44,111$48,444Entry Level (P10)$36,523$38,910Top Earner (P90)$58,133$49,947US Median $47,058

Verdict

Macon, GA offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Dalton.

The salary gap between Dalton and Macon is $4,333 (9.82%). Macon's median is +2.95% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Dalton spans $21,610,Macon spans $11,037. Dalton has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Dalton
P10 (Entry)$36,523
P25$39,093
Median$44,111
P75$47,916
P90 (Top)$58,133
Macon
P10 (Entry)$38,910
P25$39,661
Median$48,444
P75$48,984
P90 (Top)$49,947

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Macon ($54,722 effective) pays 15.49% more than Dalton ($47,380 effective).

Dalton
Nominal: $44,111
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $47,380
Macon
Nominal: $48,444
CoL Index: 88.528
Adjusted: $54,722

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Dalton if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($58,133)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Macon if…

  • Higher median salary ($48,444/year)
  • Larger job market (250 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $54,722)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Dalton grew 28.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 95.2% growth in Macon over the same period.

Dalton, GA

+28.9%

$32,348 (2024) → $41,685 (2025)

Macon, GA

+95.2%

$23,450 (2021) → $45,780 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Dalton or Macon?

Macon has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $48,444/year, compared to Dalton at $44,111/year — a difference of $4,333 (9.82%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dalton and Macon?

Dalton emergency medical technicians earn $21.21/hr while Macon hygienists earn $23.29/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dalton to Macon as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dalton and Macon. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dalton = $47,380, Macon = $54,722), job availability (7 vs 250 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Dalton vs Macon?

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $36,523 in Dalton and $38,910 in Macon. The Macon area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Mendoza, EMT-BData verified by Fatima Ali, EMT-I

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.82% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

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