How Much Does an EMT Make in Mississippi in 2026?

A typical EMT in Mississippi earns about $17.61 per hour ($36,630 per year), per the latest government wage data (May 2025). That works out to roughly $3,052 a month and $704 a week, figures calculated from the annual number. Those numbers describe the midpoint of the pay range, not a guaranteed rate for any single job. Actual pay depends on the employer, the shift, and the specific EMS agency.

That figure runs 18% below the national typical pay of $44,470 a year, and Mississippi ranks 45th out of 51 states and territories on this measure. About 1,390 people work as EMTs across the state. Lower pay in Mississippi tends to track the state's lower cost of living compared with much of the country.

Entry-level positions in Mississippi typically offer around $12.86 an hour, or about $26,760 a year, based on entry-level wage data. Pay generally moves toward the state's typical figure of $36,630 within the first few years on the job. That climb depends on gaining experience, picking up additional certifications, and building time with an EMS agency.

Experienced EMTs in Mississippi often earn upwards of $18.80 an hour, and the top 10% of earners make over $48,290 a year. That leaves a spread of $21,530 between entry-level pay and the top of the range. Setting, years of experience, and city all factor into where an individual EMT lands within that range.

Mississippi's typical EMT pay has climbed from $28,340 in 2021 to $36,630 in 2025, according to government wage data. That is a gain of $8,290, or about 29%, over that stretch. The increase has been steady each year, with the biggest jump between 2023 and 2024.

Nationally, typical EMT pay rose about 25% over the same kind of stretch, so Mississippi's rise has outpaced the national trend in percentage terms. For someone starting now, that history shows pay has moved up in recent years. It does not guarantee future increases, but the trend has been upward rather than flat.

Gulfport and Biloxi pay EMTs the most in Mississippi, both with a typical $37,440 a year ($18.00 an hour), about 2% above the state figure of $36,630. These figures cover each city's full metro area, not just the city center. Hattiesburg follows closely at $37,390 a year.

Jackson pays the least among the state's largest EMT markets, at $36,800 a year, though it also employs the most EMTs of any Mississippi city at 450. That leaves a spread of just $640 between the highest- and lowest-paying cities tracked in the state. The narrow gap suggests pay is fairly consistent across Mississippi, with differences often tracking each area's cost of living.

Mississippi's EMT pay compares closely with its neighbors. Tennessee pays the most nearby, at $40,330 a year, about 10% above Mississippi's figure. Alabama pays a bit more too, at $37,810, while Arkansas ($36,230) and Louisiana ($35,870) both pay slightly less. EMT licensure earned in Mississippi can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state, though each state's EMS office sets its own requirements.

Mississippi EMTs typically earn $36,630 a year, up 29% since 2021. That places the state below the national figure but in line with much of the surrounding region. Anyone considering the field can check Mississippi's EMS licensing and registry requirements for the steps to certification, and review city-specific pay figures for Gulfport, Biloxi, Hattiesburg, and Jackson before choosing where to work.