Firefighter / EMT.
Jackson.
$41,000
median salary, 23% below the national average
$31,000 to $54,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
A Firefighter / EMT in Jackson earns a median of $41,000 in 2026. That is 23% below the national average. The range runs from $31,000 to $54,000, and where you land depends on your experience, your skills, and how well you negotiate. Geographic location and department type create the largest pay differences.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $37,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$27,000
to $33,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$35,000
to $43,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$45,000
to $53,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$51,000
to $64,000
Salary trend
+5% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $12,000 to the total package.
Base
$41,000
Equity
$7,000
Bonus
$4,000
Signing
$1,000
Estimated total: $53,000
How Jackson compares
Jackson, MS
$41,000
Cost of living: 21% below average
National Average
$53,000
Jackson is $12,000 below
Firefighter / EMT salary by city
Salary by role in Jackson
What you should know
Here is what the Firefighter / EMT market actually looks like in Jackson. Jackson is Mississippi's capital and largest city, with an economy driven by government, healthcare, and energy. The University of Mississippi Medical Center is a major employer. Jackson offers some of the lowest living costs in the country, making even moderate salaries deliver substantial purchasing power. Geographic location and department type create the largest pay differences. Urban departments in high-cost metros pay 40 to 60% more than rural volunteer or small-town departments. Paramedic certification, hazmat specialization, and technical rescue qualifications add meaningful premiums. Union representation strongly influences base pay and overtime rules.
Probationary firefighters start at $40,000 to $48,000. Senior firefighters and paramedics earn $53,000 to $70,000 after four to six years. Lieutenants reach $65,000 to $85,000, captains earn $75,000 to $100,000, and battalion chiefs earn $95,000 to $130,000. In Jackson, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 21% below the national average, which means even a median salary buys a stronger lifestyle.
Base salary is not the full picture. Overtime and specialty pay can add 20 to 40% to base salary through Kelly Day scheduling and mandatory overtime. Pension benefits are among the strongest in public service, with many departments offering retirement at 50 to 55 with 50 to 70% salary replacement. Health coverage is typically comprehensive. And on the tax side: mississippi's top income tax rate is 5%. Jackson has no city income tax. The very low cost of living means take home pay goes further here than almost any other metro. When someone quotes you $41,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Benchmark against regional healthcare and government pay scales. Jackson employers offer competitive benefits packages to compensate for lower base salaries. The range for Firefighter / EMTs in Jackson runs from $31,000 to $54,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
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Common questions.
Firefighter / EMT salary in other cities
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