How Much Does a Paramedic Make in Charleston, WV in 2026?
Typical pay for Paramedics 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 Paramedic in Charleston, West Virginia earns $20.73 per hour, or $43,110 per year, according to the latest government wage data for the area (May 2025). Calculated from the annual figure, that is roughly $3,593 a month. Entry-level positions typically offer around $30,160, and the top 10% of earners make over $57,570.
That pay is 11% below the West Virginia figure of $48,460 and 29% below the national figure of $60,600. Charleston ranks 6th of 6 metro areas in West Virginia for Paramedic pay. About 130 Paramedics work in the Charleston area.
Paramedic pay in Charleston at a glance
- Typical pay is $20.73 an hour, or $43,110 a year.
- That is 11% below the West Virginia figure, ranking 6th of 6 metro areas in the state.
- Entry-level positions typically offer around $30,160; the top 10% make over $57,570.
BLS OES May 2025
How much does a Paramedic make in Charleston?
Pay in Charleston runs from entry-level positions at around $14.50 an hour to more than $27.68 for the top 10% of earners. The table sets each career stage against the West Virginia and national figures.
Paramedic pay by career stage in Charleston
| Career stage | Charleston | West Virginia | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $30,160$14.50 an hour | $35,930$17.28 an hour | $44,230$21.27 an hour |
| First years | $33,700$16.20 an hour | $42,880$20.62 an hour | $49,660$23.88 an hour |
| Typical Paramedic | $43,110$20.73 an hour | $48,460$23.30 an hour | $60,600$29.13 an hour |
| Experienced | $56,790$27.30 an hour | $56,500$27.16 an hour | $73,470$35.32 an hour |
| Top 10% | $57,570$27.68 an hour | $62,800$30.19 an hour | $84,850$40.80 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · city figures cover the Charleston area as BLS defines it
Paramedic pay growth in Charleston
Typical (median) annual wage for Paramedics in the Charleston area · BLS OES May estimates, 2021 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
In 2021, typical Paramedic pay in Charleston was $37,650 a year. By 2025 it had reached $43,110.
How Charleston compares with other West Virginia cities
Martinsburg pays Paramedics the most in West Virginia at $51,650 a year, $8,540 more than Charleston. The lowest-paying area in the state is Charleston at $43,110.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Charleston | Paramedics employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Martinsburg | $51,650 | $24.83 | +20% | 130 |
| 2 | Wheeling | $49,700 | $23.89 | +15% | 60 |
| 3 | Morgantown | $49,370 | $23.74 | +15% | 60 |
| 4 | Weirton metro incl. Steubenville | $47,280 | $22.73 | +10% | 40 |
| 5 | Huntington | $43,750 | $21.03 | +1% | 330 |
| 6 | Charleston | $43,110 | $20.73 | this city | 130 |
Every metro area in West Virginia with Paramedic wage data · BLS OES May 2025 · West Virginia typical pay $48,460
Is Charleston a good place to work as a Paramedic?
Paramedics in Charleston earn less than the national figure: typical pay is $43,110 a year, 29% below the national rate. For every 1,000 jobs in the Charleston area, about 1.3 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 Charleston, WV?
- A typical Paramedic in Charleston earns $43,110 a year, or $20.73 an hour, according to BLS wage data for May 2025. Entry-level pay runs about $30,160 and the top 10% earn over $57,570.
- How much does a Paramedic make an hour in Charleston?
- Typical hourly pay for Paramedics in Charleston is $20.73. Entry-level hourly pay runs about $14.50, and the top 10% earn over $27.68 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for a Paramedic in Charleston?
- Entry-level Paramedic positions in Charleston typically offer around $14.50 an hour, or $30,160 a year.
- Is Paramedic pay in Charleston higher than in the rest of West Virginia?
- Charleston pay is 11% below the West Virginia figure of $48,460 a year, ranking 6th of 6 metro areas in the state. Martinsburg pays the most in West Virginia at $51,650.