EMT Salary

Macon vs Smyrna: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

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

Macon, GA
$48,444
$23.29/hr
Smyrna, GA
$44,238
$21.27/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMacon, GASmyrna, GA
Median Salary$48,444$44,238
Hourly Rate$23.29$21.27
Entry Level (P10)$38,910$34,306
25th Percentile$39,661$37,696
75th Percentile$48,984$49,629
Top Earner (P90)$49,947$61,272
Total Employed2509
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Macon ($48,444) and Smyrna ($44,238) emergency medical technician salaries.MaconSmyrnaMedian Salary$48,444$44,238Entry Level (P10)$38,910$34,306Top Earner (P90)$49,947$61,272US Median $47,058

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Macon and Smyrna is $4,206 (9.51%). 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 Macon spans $11,037,Smyrna spans $26,966. Smyrna has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced emergency medical technicians.

Macon
P10 (Entry)$38,910
P25$39,661
Median$48,444
P75$48,984
P90 (Top)$49,947
Smyrna
P10 (Entry)$34,306
P25$37,696
Median$44,238
P75$49,629
P90 (Top)$61,272

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Macon ($54,722 effective) pays 15.16% more than Smyrna ($47,517 effective).

Macon
Nominal: $48,444
CoL Index: 88.528
Adjusted: $54,722
Smyrna
Nominal: $44,238
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $47,517

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Smyrna if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($61,272)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Macon grew 95.2% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 28.9% growth in Smyrna over the same period.

Macon, GA

+95.2%

$23,450 (2021) → $45,780 (2025)

Smyrna, GA

+28.9%

$32,442 (2024) → $41,805 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Macon has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $48,444/year, compared to Smyrna at $44,238/year — a difference of $4,206 (9.51%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Macon and Smyrna?

Macon emergency medical technicians earn $23.29/hr while Smyrna hygienists earn $21.27/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Macon and Smyrna. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Macon = $54,722, Smyrna = $47,517), job availability (250 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $38,910 in Macon and $34,306 in Smyrna. 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