Emergency Medical Technician salary in Columbia, SC
Emergency Medical Technicians in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $42,290 a year ($20.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 770 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,210 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $44,470. Pay here is 5% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $40,370. There are 2.0 emergency medical technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $42,180, close to the median.
Pay range for emergency medical technicians in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,640 | $16.17 |
| 25th percentile | $38,020 | $18.28 |
| Median | $42,290 | $20.33 |
| 75th percentile | $46,800 | $22.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,210 | $23.66 |
| Average (mean) | $42,180 | $20.28 |
Half of emergency medical technicians earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,524.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,762.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,626.54 |
| Weekly | $813.27 |
| Hourly | $20.33 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $42,290 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Emergency Medical Technician salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $45,550 | 1,210 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $45,060 | 350 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $44,630 | 780 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $42,310 | 540 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $39,980 | 580 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $39,830 | 90 |
| Florence, SC | $39,440 | 310 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $38,900 | 60 |
| Sumter, SC | $37,630 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for emergency medical technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $66,410 |
| Alaska | $57,440 |
| New Jersey | $53,610 |
| Washington | $52,690 |
| Rhode Island | $51,290 |
| Connecticut | $50,640 |
| Massachusetts | $50,230 |
| Oregon | $49,270 |
| New York | $48,400 |
| Maryland | $48,100 |
See Emergency Medical Technician pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $62,110 | $29.86 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $39,170 | $18.83 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $55,280 | $26.58 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $74,080 | $35.62 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $62,650 | $30.12 |
| Paramedic | $53,160 | $25.56 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $44,090 | $21.20 |
| Surgical Technologist | $61,230 | $29.44 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $38,390 | $18.46 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $84,440 | $40.60 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $38,570 | $18.54 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $39,980 | $19.22 |
| Dietetic Technician | $37,500 | $18.03 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $65,590 | $31.54 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-2042. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a emergency medical technician make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for emergency medical technicians in the Columbia, SC metro area is $42,290 a year, or $20.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,210 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid emergency medical technicians make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of emergency medical technicians in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $49,210 a year. The top 25% earn $46,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for emergency medical technicians in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,640 a year, and a quarter of emergency medical technicians earn $38,020 or less.
How many emergency medical technicians work in Columbia, SC?
About 770 emergency medical technicians are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.