Paramedic salary in Columbia, SC
Paramedics in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $53,160 a year ($25.56 an hour), based on BLS data for 490 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,190 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $60,600. Pay here is 1% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $53,550. There are 1.2 paramedics per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $53,910, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for paramedics in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,350 | $19.88 |
| 25th percentile | $46,160 | $22.19 |
| Median | $53,160 | $25.56 |
| 75th percentile | $61,430 | $29.54 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,190 | $30.86 |
| Average (mean) | $53,910 | $25.92 |
Half of paramedics 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 | $4,430 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,215 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,044.62 |
| Weekly | $1,022.31 |
| Hourly | $25.56 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Paramedic salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $61,830 | 170 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $61,660 | 1,180 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $58,190 | 350 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $53,550 | 420 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $51,360 | 290 |
| Florence, SC | $50,950 | 110 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $48,420 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for paramedics
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $104,310 |
| New Jersey | $86,630 |
| Hawaii | $81,280 |
| District of Columbia | $78,550 |
| Connecticut | $77,480 |
| Minnesota | $76,300 |
| Oregon | $74,840 |
| California | $74,590 |
| New York | $73,200 |
| Alaska | $71,860 |
See Paramedic 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 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $42,290 | $20.33 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $74,080 | $35.62 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $62,650 | $30.12 |
| 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 29-2043. 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 paramedic make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for paramedics in the Columbia, SC metro area is $53,160 a year, or $25.56 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid paramedics make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of paramedics in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $64,190 a year. The top 25% earn $61,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for paramedics in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,350 a year, and a quarter of paramedics earn $46,160 or less.
How many paramedics work in Columbia, SC?
About 490 paramedics are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.