Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Mississippi: $39,143 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Mississippi's 20 metropolitan areas, the average median emergency medical technician pay sits at $39,143/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2042. Because Mississippi sits at BEA RPP 85.7 (14% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $45,674 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Biloxi ($37,882), Pearl ($37,750), Tupelo ($37,741).
In 2026, emergency medical technicians in Mississippi can expect an average median salary of $39,143, which falls short of the national median of $47,058 by 16.8%. The highest paying city for EMTs is Biloxi, with a salary of $40,087, while Clinton offers the lowest at $37,080, creating a salary gap of $3,007. Factors influencing this difference include local demand for emergency services, cost of living, and the availability of healthcare funding. Mississippi's specific licensing requirements dictate that prospective EMTs must complete a state-approved training program and pass a national exam. The state's scope of practice laws also affect job roles and responsibilities, which can impact salary levels. The demand for EMT services in the state is projected to grow, reflected in an annual growth rate of 5.82%, indicating a strengthening job market. Top cities for EMT salaries include Biloxi ($40,087), Pearl ($39,947), Tupelo ($39,938), Madison ($39,778), and Southaven ($39,672). With around 830 EMTs employed in the state, opportunities should remain stable, driven by ongoing community needs and healthcare initiatives.
Mississippi Emergency Medical Technician Salary Range
Overall salary range in Mississippi: $29,344 (lowest entry-level) to $55,551 (highest top earner)
Mississippi vs National Average
Mississippi emergency medical technicians earn 16.82% less than the national median ($-7,915/year difference).
Mississippi Emergency Medical Technician Salary Distribution (2026)
Emergency Medical Technician salaries in Mississippi range from $30,612 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $48,360 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $39,143. The Mississippi median is $7,915 below the US national median of $47,058. The average hourly rate is $18.82/hr. Approximately 830 emergency medical technicians are employed across 20 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$28,324
2025 BLS Actual
$36,990
2026 Current Est.
$39,143
2021–2027 Growth
+46.2%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Mississippi (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $28,324 | Actual |
| 2022 | $28,902 | Actual |
| 2023 | $30,393 | Actual |
| 2024 | $31,742 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,990 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,143 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,421 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mississippi metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 30.6% from $28,324 (2021) to $36,990 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $41,421 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,097 (46.24%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mississippi metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.82% CAGR derived from 5-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Mississippi
Lowest Paying Cities in Mississippi
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Clinton | $37,080 |
| Laurel | $37,298 |
| Columbus | $37,923 |
| Hernando | $37,965 |
| Olive Branch | $38,157 |
Best Value Cities for Emergency Medical Technicians in Mississippi
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Mississippi cities offer the most purchasing power for emergency medical technicians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biloxi | $40,087 | 85.7 | $46,776 |
| Pearl | $39,947 | 85.7 | $46,613 |
| Tupelo | $39,938 | 85.7 | $46,602 |
| Madison | $39,778 | 85.7 | $46,415 |
| Southaven | $39,672 | 85.7 | $46,292 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Mississippi
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $30,612 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $39,143 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $48,360 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Mississippi metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 20 Cities in Mississippi
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Biloxi | $40,087 |
| 2 | Pearl | $39,947 |
| 3 | Tupelo | $39,938 |
| 4 | Madison | $39,778 |
| 5 | Southaven | $39,672 |
| 6 | Gulfport | $39,619 |
| 7 | Hattiesburg | $39,566 |
| 8 | Horn Lake | $39,509 |
| 9 | Starkville | $39,218 |
| 10 | Jackson | $38,942 |
| 11 | Ridgeland | $38,721 |
| 12 | Vicksburg | $38,721 |
| 13 | Oxford | $38,476 |
| 14 | Brandon | $38,435 |
| 15 | Meridian | $38,232 |
| 16 | Olive Branch | $38,157 |
| 17 | Hernando | $37,965 |
| 18 | Columbus | $37,923 |
| 19 | Laurel | $37,298 |
| 20 | Clinton | $37,080 |
More Mississippi Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore emergency medical technician hourly pay in Mississippi cities.
Explore More Emergency Medical Technician Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do emergency medical technicians make in Mississippi in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for emergency medical technicians in Mississippi?
How does Mississippi emergency medical technician pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level emergency medical technician salary in Mississippi?
How many emergency medical technicians are employed in Mississippi?
Which Mississippi city offers the best value for emergency medical technicians?
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.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 emergency medical technician compensation across Mississippi. State averages are employment-weighted across 20 metro areas — larger metro areas with more emergency medical technicianscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.82%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for emergency medical technicians (SOC 29-2042).
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