How Much Does a Paramedic Make in Columbia, SC in 2026?
Typical pay for Paramedics in Columbia, from federal wage data (May 2025), with the ten-year trend and how the city compares across South Carolina.
BLS OES May 2025 · Columbia metro area
A typical Paramedic in Columbia, South Carolina earns $25.56 per hour, or $53,160 per year, according to the latest government wage data for the area (May 2025). Calculated from the annual figure, that is roughly $4,430 a month. Entry-level positions typically offer around $41,350, and the top 10% of earners make over $64,190.
That pay is 1% below the South Carolina figure of $53,550 and 12% below the national figure of $60,600. Columbia ranks 5th of 8 metro areas in South Carolina for Paramedic pay. About 490 Paramedics work in the Columbia area.
Paramedic pay in Columbia at a glance
- Typical pay is $25.56 an hour, or $53,160 a year.
- That is 1% below the South Carolina figure, ranking 5th of 8 metro areas in the state.
- Entry-level positions typically offer around $41,350; the top 10% make over $64,190.
BLS OES May 2025
How much does a Paramedic make in Columbia?
Pay in Columbia runs from entry-level positions at around $19.88 an hour to more than $30.86 for the top 10% of earners. The table sets each career stage against the South Carolina and national figures.
Paramedic pay by career stage in Columbia
| Career stage | Columbia | South Carolina | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $41,350$19.88 an hour | $40,710$19.57 an hour | $44,230$21.27 an hour |
| First years | $46,160$22.19 an hour | $48,010$23.08 an hour | $49,660$23.88 an hour |
| Typical Paramedic | $53,160$25.56 an hour | $53,550$25.74 an hour | $60,600$29.13 an hour |
| Experienced | $61,430$29.54 an hour | $62,220$29.91 an hour | $73,470$35.32 an hour |
| Top 10% | $64,190$30.86 an hour | $67,180$32.30 an hour | $84,850$40.80 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · city figures cover the Columbia area as BLS defines it
Paramedic pay growth in Columbia
Typical (median) annual wage for Paramedics in the Columbia area · BLS OES May estimates, 2021 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
In 2021, typical Paramedic pay in Columbia was $44,150 a year. By 2025 it had reached $53,160.
How Columbia compares with other South Carolina cities
Richmond County pays Paramedics the most in South Carolina at $61,830 a year, $8,670 more than Columbia. The lowest-paying area in the state is Hilton Head Island at $48,420.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Columbia | Paramedics employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Richmond County | $61,830 | $29.72 | +16% | 170 |
| 2 | Gastonia metro incl. Concord | $61,660 | $29.64 | +16% | 1,180 |
| 3 | Charleston metro incl. North Charleston | $58,190 | $27.98 | +9% | 350 |
| 4 | Greenville | $53,550 | $25.74 | +1% | 420 |
| 5 | Columbia | $53,160 | $25.56 | this city | 490 |
| 6 | Spartanburg | $51,360 | $24.69 | -3% | 290 |
| 7 | Florence | $50,950 | $24.49 | -4% | 110 |
| 8 | Port Royal metro incl. Bluffton · Hilton Head Island | $48,420 | $23.28 | -9% | 50 |
Every metro area in South Carolina with Paramedic wage data · BLS OES May 2025 · South Carolina typical pay $53,550
Is Columbia a good place to work as a Paramedic?
Paramedics in Columbia earn less than the national figure: typical pay is $53,160 a year, 12% below the national rate. For every 1,000 jobs in the Columbia area, about 1.2 are Paramedic positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 0.7. That makes the local economy more reliant on Paramedics than most places, and turnover keeps positions opening through the year.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Paramedic make in Columbia, SC?
- A typical Paramedic in Columbia earns $53,160 a year, or $25.56 an hour, according to BLS wage data for May 2025. Entry-level pay runs about $41,350 and the top 10% earn over $64,190.
- How much does a Paramedic make an hour in Columbia?
- Typical hourly pay for Paramedics in Columbia is $25.56. Entry-level hourly pay runs about $19.88, and the top 10% earn over $30.86 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for a Paramedic in Columbia?
- Entry-level Paramedic positions in Columbia typically offer around $19.88 an hour, or $41,350 a year.
- Is Paramedic pay in Columbia higher than in the rest of South Carolina?
- Columbia pay is 1% below the South Carolina figure of $53,550 a year, ranking 5th of 8 metro areas in the state. Richmond County pays the most in South Carolina at $61,830.