Paramedic in Mississippi: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Public safety

Mississippi employs 1,150 paramedics, with a statewide median of $54,630 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Mississippi licensing picture, and where to train.

What Paramedics Earn in Mississippi (May 2025)

Mississippi median pay: $54,630 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $39,690
Experienced (75th percentile): $61,040
Top earners (90th percentile): $71,710
Employed in Mississippi: 1,150
U.S. median (for comparison): $58,410 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for paramedics in major Mississippi markets:

Memphis: $66,830 (810 employed)
Gulfport: $61,320 (90 employed)
Jackson: $60,850 (260 employed)
Hattiesburg: $53,820 (100 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Mississippi

Prices in Mississippi run about 13% below the national average (cost-of-living index 87.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $54,630 median stretches to roughly $62,793 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Mississippi (2024–2034)

Mississippi is projected to grow paramedics employment +16.2%, faster than the +5.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 70 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Mississippi License and Certification Requirements

Paramedic license — regulated by the Mississippi State Dept. of Health — Bureau of EMS.

First earn your EMT certification.
Complete a CAAHEP-accredited paramedic program (1–2 years with field and hospital rotations).
Pass the NREMT-Paramedic exam and obtain Mississippi paramedic licensure through the Bureau of EMS.

Official requirements: Mississippi State Dept. of Health — Bureau of EMS →

Training in Mississippi

Paramedic is the pay/scope step up from EMT. Ambulance services, hospitals, and fire departments hire steadily.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Mississippi include:

Coahoma Community College — Certificate / Associate
Copiah-Lincoln Community College — Associate
East Central Community College — Certificate / Associate
East Mississippi Community College — Certificate / Associate

Where Paramedics Work in Mississippi

Real Mississippi EMS agencies that employ paramedics include:

Emserv Ambulance Service - Springs Station — Bay Springs
Tishomingo Health Service Ambulance Service - Belmont — Belmont
Rural / Metro Corporation — Booneville
Aaa Ambulance Service - McNeill — Carriere
Carthage Ambulance Service — Carthage
Transcare Ambulance Service - Tallahatchie County — Charleston

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: Calm, service-oriented people who can handle urgent, unpredictable work.

Think twice if: You need routine hours, low stress, or low physical demand.

Why it's resilient: Emergency response depends on physical presence, judgment under pressure, patient care, and local systems.

First Steps

Start with EMT training, then compare paramedic programs and local EMS employers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do paramedics make in Mississippi?

The median wage for paramedics in Mississippi is $54,630 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $39,690, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $71,710. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Paramedic in Mississippi?

Paramedic license, overseen by the Mississippi State Dept. of Health — Bureau of EMS. First earn your EMT certification.

Is being a Paramedic a good career in Mississippi?

Emergency response depends on physical presence, judgment under pressure, patient care, and local systems.

Which Mississippi metros pay paramedics the most?

Among Mississippi metro areas, Memphis leads at $66,830, followed by Gulfport ($61,320), Jackson ($60,850). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become a Paramedic in Mississippi?

Real Mississippi options include Coahoma Community College, Copiah-Lincoln Community College, East Central Community College. Most paramedics start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Paramedic a growing career in Mississippi?

Mississippi projects paramedics employment to change +16.2% from 2024 to 2034, with about 70 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Mississippi statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2043. Licensing summary compiled from the Mississippi State Dept. of Health — Bureau of EMS (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Mississippi wages · Mississippi licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.