How Much Does a Paramedic Make in South Carolina in 2026?

A typical Paramedic in South Carolina earns about $25.74 per hour ($53,550 per year), per the latest government wage data (May 2025). Calculated from that annual figure, pay works out to roughly $4,462 a month and about $1,030 a week. Those numbers describe the person in the middle of the pay range, not the highest or lowest earner in the field.

That pay sits 12% below the national figure of $60,600 a year for Paramedics. South Carolina ranks 41st out of 51 states and D.C. for Paramedic pay. About 2,250 Paramedics work across the state, compared with 100,610 nationwide, which gives a sense of scale for local hiring compared to the profession nationally.

Entry-level Paramedic positions in South Carolina typically offer around $19.57 an hour, or about $40,710 a year, for those just starting out. Pay tends to move toward the typical figure of $53,550 a year within the first few years on the job. Experience, certifications, and the type of employer all play a role in how quickly that happens.

Experienced Paramedics in South Carolina often earn upwards of $29.91 an hour, or about $62,220 a year. The top 10% of earners make over $32.30 an hour, or $67,180 a year. That leaves a spread of $26,470 between entry-level and top-tier pay, a gap usually explained by years on the job, additional certifications, and whether the work is in a hospital system, private ambulance service, or a higher-paying city.

South Carolina's typical Paramedic pay climbed from $43,970 in 2021 to $53,550 in 2025, a gain of $9,580. That is a 22% increase over that span. The rise was steady rather than sudden, moving from $45,610 in 2022 to $49,800 in 2023 and $50,130 in 2024 before reaching the 2025 figure.

Nationally, Paramedic pay rose 30% over a comparable period. South Carolina's gain trailed that national pace, even as local pay moved up in real dollar terms each year. For someone starting as a Paramedic in South Carolina now, recent years show pay has trended upward. That pattern describes what happened; it does not guarantee future increases.

Pay runs highest in Richmond County, where Paramedics typically earn $61,830 a year, about 15% above the statewide figure of $53,550. Gastonia and Concord follow closely, both at $61,660 a year, and Charleston and North Charleston pay $58,190 a year. Cities near the North Carolina border tend to post the strongest numbers in the state.

Hilton Head Island posts the lowest figures in the state, with Paramedics typically earning $48,420 a year, alongside neighboring Bluffton and Port Royal. That is a spread of $13,410 between the highest- and lowest-paying cities listed. Gastonia has the largest Paramedic workforce in the state, with 1,180 employed. These figures cover each city's full metro area, and higher pay in coastal and border metros usually tracks a higher cost of living.

South Carolina's Paramedic pay compares closely with its neighbors. Georgia pays 8% more, with a typical figure of $57,660 a year, and North Carolina pays about 7% more, at $57,320 a year. Both neighboring states report higher typical pay than South Carolina. Paramedic licensure earned in South Carolina can often be endorsed or transferred into a neighboring state, though requirements vary and should be confirmed with the state's EMS office.

Paramedics in South Carolina typically earn $53,550 a year, or $25.74 an hour, trailing the national figure but still up 22% since 2021. Pay varies by city and by experience, with entry-level positions starting lower and the top 10% earning well above the typical figure. Readers weighing this career should check South Carolina's EMS licensing or registry requirements and review city-level pages for local figures before making a decision.