Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Jackson, MS: $38,942 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Jackson, MS earns a median $38,942/year (≈ $18.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Jackson's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.0), that paycheck buys what $43,731 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Mississippi state average.
Official BLS data · View source

In Jackson, Mississippi, the 2026 median annual salary for emergency medical technicians is projected to be $38,942, reflecting a significant gap compared to the national median of $47,058. The salary range for this role spans from $30,053 at the 10th percentile to $47,661 at the 90th percentile, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026. Opportunities for higher earnings, particularly in industrial medic positions associated with the oil field, can provide a premium advantage in the market, making it essential for EMTs to explore these sectors. With various employers in the Jackson area, understanding the financial outlook can aid prospective technicians in aligning their career moves with their income expectations.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30,053 | $14.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34,381 | $16.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $38,942 | $18.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41,376 | $19.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47,661 | $22.91 |
Median Salary Position
17.25% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jackson
In Jackson, MS, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $17,608 (2026 est.). At $38,942, the local median is 17.25% below the national median of $47,058.
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At 40 hours/week in Jackson: You'd be above the median
How Jackson Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Jackson median: $38,942/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Jackson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $40,312 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | -17.25% less |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Jackson, MS earn a median of $38,942 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.25% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 3.40% below the Mississippi state average of $40,312.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Jackson has a cost of living 10.95% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Jackson, MS has a cost-of-living index of 89.048 (below the national average of 100). A emergency medical technician earning $38,942 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $43,731 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.3% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$27,870
2025 BLS Actual
$36,800
2026 Current Est.
$38,942
2021–2027 Growth
+47.9%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Jackson (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $27,870 | Actual |
| 2022 | $27,230 | Actual |
| 2023 | $28,940 | Actual |
| 2024 | $30,110 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,800 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,942 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,208 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Jackson metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 32.0% from $27,870 (2021) to $36,800 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $41,208 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,338 (47.86%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jackson 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $30,053 – $34,381 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $34,381 – $38,942 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $38,942 – $41,376 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $41,376 – $47,661 |
EMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual emergency medical technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Emergency Medical Technician Job Market in Jackson
Examining the local job market, there are approximately 450 emergency medical technicians currently employed in Jackson. The cost of living index in the city stands at 89.048, which suggests that the take-home pay for EMTs may stretch further compared to other regions with higher living costs. Among the entities that offer competitive salaries are municipal fire departments, with some cross-trained firefighter-EMTs earning significantly more than their private ambulance counterparts due to union contracts. Additionally, private ambulance services in Jackson, like AMR and GMR, typically lag behind in fulfilling inflation-adjusted wages. Filling the pay gap depends on numerous factors such as employer type, overtime opportunities, shift differentials, and the potential to advance into paramedic roles, which can enhance earning capacity. For those seeking to maximize their emergency medical technician pay in Jackson, gaining experience in specialized fields or considering positions with ongoing training and certification possibilities could provide considerable financial benefits.
More salary data for Jackson, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $36,800 for emergency medical techniciansin the Jackson metropolitan area. A 5.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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