How Much Does an EMT Make in Charleston, WV in 2026?
Typical pay for EMTs in Charleston, from federal wage data (May 2025), with the ten-year trend and how the city compares across West Virginia.
BLS OES May 2025 · Charleston metro area
A typical EMT in Charleston, West Virginia earns $15.79 per hour, or $32,850 per year, according to the latest government wage data for the area (May 2025). Calculated from the annual figure, that is roughly $2,738 a month. Entry-level positions typically offer around $26,700, and the top 10% of earners make over $46,580.
That pay is 4% below the West Virginia figure of $34,360 and 26% below the national figure of $44,470. Charleston ranks 6th of 7 metro areas in West Virginia for EMT pay. About 80 EMTs work in the Charleston area.
EMT pay in Charleston at a glance
- Typical pay is $15.79 an hour, or $32,850 a year.
- That is 4% below the West Virginia figure, ranking 6th of 7 metro areas in the state.
- Entry-level positions typically offer around $26,700; the top 10% make over $46,580.
BLS OES May 2025
How much does an EMT make in Charleston?
Pay in Charleston runs from entry-level positions at around $12.84 an hour to more than $22.40 for the top 10% of earners. The table sets each career stage against the West Virginia and national figures.
EMT pay by career stage in Charleston
| Career stage | Charleston | West Virginia | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $26,700$12.84 an hour | $29,120$14.00 an hour | $34,130$16.41 an hour |
| First years | $28,030$13.48 an hour | $30,930$14.87 an hour | $37,960$18.25 an hour |
| Typical EMT | $32,850$15.79 an hour | $34,360$16.52 an hour | $44,470$21.38 an hour |
| Experienced | $36,780$17.68 an hour | $39,310$18.90 an hour | $50,100$24.09 an hour |
| Top 10% | $46,580$22.40 an hour | $45,350$21.80 an hour | $62,500$30.05 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · city figures cover the Charleston area as BLS defines it
EMT pay growth in Charleston
Typical (median) annual wage for EMTs in the Charleston area · BLS OES May estimates, 2021 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
In 2021, typical EMT pay in Charleston was $28,770 a year. By 2025 it had reached $32,850.
How Charleston compares with other West Virginia cities
Martinsburg pays EMTs the most in West Virginia at $37,840 a year, $4,990 more than Charleston. The lowest-paying area in the state is Beckley at $32,590.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Charleston | EMTs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Martinsburg | $37,840 | $18.19 | +15% | 190 |
| 2 | Huntington | $35,630 | $17.13 | +8% | 160 |
| 3 | Weirton metro incl. Steubenville | $35,250 | $16.95 | +7% | 70 |
| 4 | Wheeling | $35,250 | $16.95 | +7% | 80 |
| 5 | Morgantown | $32,950 | $15.84 | 0% | 60 |
| 6 | Charleston | $32,850 | $15.79 | this city | 80 |
| 7 | Beckley | $32,590 | $15.67 | -1% | 80 |
Every metro area in West Virginia with EMT wage data · BLS OES May 2025 · West Virginia typical pay $34,360
Is Charleston a good place to work as an EMT?
EMTs in Charleston earn less than the national figure: typical pay is $32,850 a year, 26% below the national rate. For every 1,000 jobs in the Charleston area, about 0.8 are EMT positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 1.1. That makes EMTs a smaller part of the local job market than usual, so employers draw from a smaller pool of qualified candidates.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does an EMT make in Charleston, WV?
- A typical EMT in Charleston earns $32,850 a year, or $15.79 an hour, according to BLS wage data for May 2025. Entry-level pay runs about $26,700 and the top 10% earn over $46,580.
- How much does an EMT make an hour in Charleston?
- Typical hourly pay for EMTs in Charleston is $15.79. Entry-level hourly pay runs about $12.84, and the top 10% earn over $22.40 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for an EMT in Charleston?
- Entry-level EMT positions in Charleston typically offer around $12.84 an hour, or $26,700 a year.
- Is EMT pay in Charleston higher than in the rest of West Virginia?
- Charleston pay is 4% below the West Virginia figure of $34,360 a year, ranking 6th of 7 metro areas in the state. Martinsburg pays the most in West Virginia at $37,840.