Paramedic salary in North Carolina
Paramedics in North Carolina earn a median of $57,320 a year ($27.56 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,660 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,170 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $60,600. North Carolina ranks 36th of 51 states for paramedics pay. There are 1.1 paramedics per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $57,320, close to the median.
Pay range for paramedics in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,730 | $21.51 |
| 25th percentile | $48,630 | $23.38 |
| Median | $57,320 | $27.56 |
| 75th percentile | $63,820 | $30.69 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,170 | $36.14 |
| Average (mean) | $57,320 | $27.56 |
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 | $4,776.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,388.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,204.62 |
| Weekly | $1,102.31 |
| Hourly | $27.56 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Paramedic salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville, NC | $68,220 | 130 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $65,220 | 470 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $64,310 | 230 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $64,120 | 400 |
| Asheville, NC | $63,480 | 280 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $61,660 | 1,180 |
| Wilmington, NC | $61,060 | 210 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $58,980 | 320 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $58,110 | 420 |
| Greenville, NC | $53,210 | 120 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $52,470 | 130 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $49,460 | 180 |
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 |
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $63,270 | $30.42 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $44,530 | $21.41 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $60,650 | $29.16 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $74,450 | $35.79 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $49,620 | $23.86 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $44,250 | $21.27 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $46,480 | $22.35 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $40,630 | $19.54 |
| Surgical Technologist | $60,920 | $29.29 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $86,010 | $41.35 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $47,620 | $22.89 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $50,190 | $24.13 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $55,460 | $26.67 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $45,150 | $21.71 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for paramedics in North Carolina is $57,320 a year, or $27.56 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,170 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid paramedics make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of paramedics in North Carolina earn at least $75,170 a year. The top 25% earn $63,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for paramedics in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,730 a year, and a quarter of paramedics earn $48,630 or less.
How many paramedics work in North Carolina?
About 5,660 paramedics are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.