EMT Salary

Hattiesburg vs Pearl: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

Compare emergency medical technician salaries between Hattiesburg, MS and Pearl, MS. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Hattiesburg, MS
$39,566
$19.03/hr
Pearl, MS
$39,947
$19.21/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHattiesburg, MSPearl, MS
Median Salary$39,566$39,947
Hourly Rate$19.03$19.21
Entry Level (P10)$33,217$31,335
25th Percentile$35,873$34,242
75th Percentile$41,280$43,767
Top Earner (P90)$48,497$53,259
Total Employed1506
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hattiesburg ($39,566) and Pearl ($39,947) emergency medical technician salaries.HattiesburgPearlMedian Salary$39,566$39,947Entry Level (P10)$33,217$31,335Top Earner (P90)$48,497$53,259US Median $47,058

Verdict

Pearl, MS offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Hattiesburg.

The salary gap between Hattiesburg and Pearl is $381 (0.96%). Pearl's median is -15.11% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hattiesburg spans $15,280,Pearl spans $21,924. Pearl has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced emergency medical technicians.

Hattiesburg
P10 (Entry)$33,217
P25$35,873
Median$39,566
P75$41,280
P90 (Top)$48,497
Pearl
P10 (Entry)$31,335
P25$34,242
Median$39,947
P75$43,767
P90 (Top)$53,259

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Pearl ($46,613 effective) pays 3.24% more than Hattiesburg ($45,150 effective).

Hattiesburg
Nominal: $39,566
CoL Index: 87.633
Adjusted: $45,150
Pearl
Nominal: $39,947
CoL Index: 85.7
Adjusted: $46,613

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hattiesburg if…

  • Larger job market (150 employed)
  • You prefer the Mississippi area and lifestyle

Choose Pearl if…

  • Higher median salary ($39,947/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($53,259)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $46,613)
  • You prefer the Mississippi area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Hattiesburg grew 23.4% from 2023 to 2025, compared to 58.8% growth in Pearl over the same period.

Hattiesburg, MS

+23.4%

$30,300 (2023) → $37,390 (2025)

Pearl, MS

+58.8%

$23,769 (2024) → $37,750 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Hattiesburg or Pearl?

Pearl has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $39,947/year, compared to Hattiesburg at $39,566/year — a difference of $381 (0.96%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hattiesburg and Pearl?

Hattiesburg emergency medical technicians earn $19.03/hr while Pearl hygienists earn $19.21/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hattiesburg to Pearl as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hattiesburg and Pearl. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hattiesburg = $45,150, Pearl = $46,613), job availability (150 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Hattiesburg vs Pearl?

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $33,217 in Hattiesburg and $31,335 in Pearl. The Hattiesburg area offers higher starting salaries.
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