How Much Does an EMT Make in North Carolina in 2026?

A typical EMT in North Carolina earns about $21.27 per hour, which works out to $44,250 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Calculated from that annual figure, pay comes to roughly $3,688 a month and about $851 a week. These figures reflect the typical worker across the state, before accounting for city or experience differences.

That figure sits slightly below the national typical pay of $44,470, a gap of well under one percent, per the same data. North Carolina ranks 22nd out of 51 states and jurisdictions for EMT pay. Roughly 6,680 EMTs work across the state. Pay just below the national figure generally lines up with a somewhat lower cost of living in much of North Carolina.

Entry-level EMT positions in North Carolina typically offer around $16.92 an hour, or about $35,190 a year, based on the latest wage data. Some entry-level postings start a bit higher, closer to $18.40 an hour, or $38,260 a year. Pay for newer EMTs tends to move toward the state's typical rate of $44,250 within a few years as they gain experience and take on more responsibility.

Experienced EMTs in North Carolina often earn upwards of $23.71 an hour, or about $49,310 a year, and the top 10% of earners make over $28.72 an hour ($59,750 a year). That leaves a spread of $24,560 between entry-level and top-earning EMTs. Setting, years on the job, and city typically account for most of that difference.

Over the past five years, typical EMT pay in North Carolina rose from $35,920 in 2021 to $44,250 in 2025, a gain of $8,330. That amounts to a 23% increase, according to wage data tracked over that period. The rise was not perfectly even year to year, but each year since 2021 has shown higher typical pay than the one before.

Nationally, EMT pay rose about 25% over the same kind of stretch, putting North Carolina's gain in a similar range. Pay has moved up steadily for EMTs entering the field in North Carolina in recent years, though past increases do not guarantee future ones. Someone starting now can expect a starting point at or above where the field stood just a few years ago.

Pay runs highest in Wilmington, where typical EMT pay reaches $53,850 a year, about 22% above the statewide figure. Burlington and the Cary/Raleigh metro area follow, with typical pay near $49,180 and $49,160 respectively. These figures cover each city's full metro area, not just the city center.

Rocky Mount pays the least among the state's metro areas tracked, with typical pay at $40,480 a year, a spread of $13,370 between the highest- and lowest-paying cities. Charlotte has the largest EMT workforce in the state, with 1,210 workers earning a typical $45,550 a year. Pay differences across these cities generally track differences in local living costs.

North Carolina's typical EMT pay trails both Georgia ($45,550) and Virginia ($45,420), each paying about 3% more. It runs well ahead of South Carolina ($40,370) and Tennessee ($40,330), both about 9% lower. EMTs weighing a move across state lines should know that EMT certification can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state rather than earned from scratch.

EMTs in North Carolina typically earn $44,250 a year today, up from $35,920 in 2021, a rise of $8,330 over five years. Pay varies by city and experience, but the overall trend has moved upward. Readers weighing this career should check North Carolina's EMT licensing and registry requirements, and review city-level pay pages for figures closer to where they plan to work.