EMT Salary

Gainesville vs Macon: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

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

Gainesville, GA
$50,487
$24.28/hr
Macon, GA
$48,444
$23.29/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGainesville, GAMacon, GA
Median Salary$50,487$48,444
Hourly Rate$24.28$23.29
Entry Level (P10)$40,550$38,910
25th Percentile$41,566$39,661
75th Percentile$53,778$48,984
Top Earner (P90)$99,714$49,947
Total Employed150250
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Gainesville ($50,487) and Macon ($48,444) emergency medical technician salaries.GainesvilleMaconMedian Salary$50,487$48,444Entry Level (P10)$40,550$38,910Top Earner (P90)$99,714$49,947US Median $47,058

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Gainesville and Macon is $2,043 (4.22%). Gainesville's median is +7.29% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Gainesville spans $59,164,Macon spans $11,037. Gainesville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Gainesville
P10 (Entry)$40,550
P25$41,566
Median$50,487
P75$53,778
P90 (Top)$99,714
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 4.88% more than Gainesville ($52,174 effective).

Gainesville
Nominal: $50,487
CoL Index: 96.766
Adjusted: $52,174
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 Gainesville if…

  • Higher median salary ($50,487/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($99,714)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Macon if…

  • 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 Gainesville grew 35.3% from 2022 to 2025, compared to 95.2% growth in Macon over the same period.

Gainesville, GA

+35.3%

$35,260 (2022) → $47,710 (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: Gainesville or Macon?

Gainesville has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $50,487/year, compared to Macon at $48,444/year — a difference of $2,043 (4.22%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Gainesville and Macon?

Gainesville emergency medical technicians earn $24.28/hr while Macon hygienists earn $23.29/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Gainesville and Macon. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Gainesville = $52,174, Macon = $54,722), job availability (150 vs 250 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $40,550 in Gainesville and $38,910 in Macon. The Gainesville 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