EMT Salary

Macon vs Valdosta: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

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

Macon, GA
$48,444
$23.29/hr
Valdosta, GA
$45,107
$21.68/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMacon, GAValdosta, GA
Median Salary$48,444$45,107
Hourly Rate$23.29$21.68
Entry Level (P10)$38,910$36,365
25th Percentile$39,661$39,476
75th Percentile$48,984$51,642
Top Earner (P90)$49,947$64,207
Total Employed25010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Macon ($48,444) and Valdosta ($45,107) emergency medical technician salaries.MaconValdostaMedian Salary$48,444$45,107Entry Level (P10)$38,910$36,365Top Earner (P90)$49,947$64,207US Median $47,058

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Macon and Valdosta is $3,337 (7.40%). 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,Valdosta spans $27,842. Valdosta 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
Valdosta
P10 (Entry)$36,365
P25$39,476
Median$45,107
P75$51,642
P90 (Top)$64,207

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Macon ($54,722 effective) pays 12.94% more than Valdosta ($48,450 effective).

Macon
Nominal: $48,444
CoL Index: 88.528
Adjusted: $54,722
Valdosta
Nominal: $45,107
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $48,450

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 Valdosta if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($64,207)
  • 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 Valdosta over the same period.

Macon, GA

+95.2%

$23,450 (2021) → $45,780 (2025)

Valdosta, GA

+28.9%

$33,079 (2024) → $42,626 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Macon has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $48,444/year, compared to Valdosta at $45,107/year — a difference of $3,337 (7.40%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Macon and Valdosta?

Macon emergency medical technicians earn $23.29/hr while Valdosta hygienists earn $21.68/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Macon and Valdosta. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Macon = $54,722, Valdosta = $48,450), job availability (250 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $38,910 in Macon and $36,365 in Valdosta. 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