EMT Salary

Jackson vs Pearl: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

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

Jackson, MS
$38,942
$18.72/hr
Pearl, MS
$39,947
$19.21/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricJackson, MSPearl, MS
Median Salary$38,942$39,947
Hourly Rate$18.72$19.21
Entry Level (P10)$30,053$31,335
25th Percentile$34,381$34,242
75th Percentile$41,376$43,767
Top Earner (P90)$47,661$53,259
Total Employed4506
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Jackson ($38,942) and Pearl ($39,947) emergency medical technician salaries.JacksonPearlMedian Salary$38,942$39,947Entry Level (P10)$30,053$31,335Top Earner (P90)$47,661$53,259US Median $47,058

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Jackson and Pearl is $1,005 (2.58%). 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 Jackson spans $17,608,Pearl spans $21,924. Pearl has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced emergency medical technicians.

Jackson
P10 (Entry)$30,053
P25$34,381
Median$38,942
P75$41,376
P90 (Top)$47,661
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 6.59% more than Jackson ($43,731 effective).

Jackson
Nominal: $38,942
CoL Index: 89.048
Adjusted: $43,731
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 Jackson if…

  • Larger job market (450 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 Jackson grew 32.0% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 58.8% growth in Pearl over the same period.

Jackson, MS

+32.0%

$27,870 (2021) → $36,800 (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: Jackson or Pearl?

Pearl has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $39,947/year, compared to Jackson at $38,942/year — a difference of $1,005 (2.58%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Jackson and Pearl?

Jackson emergency medical technicians earn $18.72/hr while Pearl hygienists earn $19.21/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Jackson and Pearl. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Jackson = $43,731, Pearl = $46,613), job availability (450 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $30,053 in Jackson and $31,335 in Pearl. The Pearl 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