Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Jacksonville, NC: $48,689 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Jacksonville, NC earns a median $48,689/year (≈ $23.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Jacksonville's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $52,018 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $48,689 in 2026, emergency medical technicians in Jacksonville, North Carolina, can expect to earn slightly above the national median of $47,058. The salary range for this occupation varies significantly, from $36,772 at the 10th percentile to $66,330 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse job market influenced by factors such as employer type and experience. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional cost of living variations. In Jacksonville, the pay gap between fire department EMTs and their counterparts in private ambulance services continues to persist, which reflects broader trends seen nationally. This may motivate aspiring EMTs in the area to consider avenues that lead to municipal roles, where salaries can substantially exceed those offered by private sector employers.
About the Jacksonville Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($36,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,772 | $17.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,750 | $19.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,689 | $23.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53,808 | $25.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $66,330 | $31.89 |
Median Salary Position
3.47% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jacksonville
In Jacksonville, NC, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,558 (2026 est.). At $48,689, the local median is 3.47% above the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Jacksonville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Jacksonville Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Jacksonville median: $48,689/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Jacksonville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $48,447 | +0.50% more |
| National Average | $47,058 | +3.47% more |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Jacksonville, NC earn a median of $48,689 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.47% higher than the national median of $47,058 and 0.50% above the North Carolina state average of $48,447.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Jacksonville has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Jacksonville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A emergency medical technician earning $48,689 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,018 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$36,699
2025 BLS Actual
$46,011
2026 Current Est.
$48,689
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Jacksonville (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $36,699 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,951 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,279 | Actual |
| 2024 | $33,862 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,011 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,689 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,523 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Jacksonville metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $36,699 (2021) to $46,011 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,523 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,824 (40.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jacksonville 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) | $36,772 – $40,750 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,750 – $48,689 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,689 – $53,808 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $53,808 – $66,330 |
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 Jacksonville
The job market for emergency medical technicians in Jacksonville currently employs about 17 professionals, signifying a stable yet modestly sized sector. The local cost-of-living index stands at 93.6, indicating that while EMT salaries are competitive, purchasing power will reflect the economic conditions. Among employers, municipal fire departments often provide the highest wages due to union agreements, compared to private ambulance companies like AMR or GMR, which typically pay less. The disparity in compensation is further influenced by factors such as shift differentials and overtime potential. For those seeking to maximize their earnings, pursuing advancement to paramedic status or considering roles in event medical services or industrial settings may present lucrative opportunities. Understanding the landscape of emergency medical technician pay in Jacksonville, NC, can help new professionals strategically navigate their career paths.
More salary data for Jacksonville, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do emergency medical technicians make in Jacksonville, NC in 2026?
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Can emergency medical technicians make $100K in Jacksonville?
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Related Pages
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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 $46,011 for emergency medical techniciansin the Jacksonville 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
Salary data for Jacksonville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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