EMT Salary

Columbia vs Mauldin: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

Compare emergency medical technician salaries between Columbia, SC and Mauldin, SC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Columbia, SC
$44,751
$21.51/hr
Mauldin, SC
$41,568
$19.99/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricColumbia, SCMauldin, SC
Median Salary$44,751$41,568
Hourly Rate$21.51$19.99
Entry Level (P10)$35,598$32,349
25th Percentile$40,233$36,921
75th Percentile$49,524$45,295
Top Earner (P90)$52,074$54,807
Total Employed7706
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Columbia ($44,751) and Mauldin ($41,568) emergency medical technician salaries.ColumbiaMauldinMedian Salary$44,751$41,568Entry Level (P10)$35,598$32,349Top Earner (P90)$52,074$54,807US Median $47,058

Verdict

Columbia, SC offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Mauldin.

The salary gap between Columbia and Mauldin is $3,183 (7.66%). Columbia's median is -4.90% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Columbia spans $16,476,Mauldin spans $22,458. Mauldin has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced emergency medical technicians.

Columbia
P10 (Entry)$35,598
P25$40,233
Median$44,751
P75$49,524
P90 (Top)$52,074
Mauldin
P10 (Entry)$32,349
P25$36,921
Median$41,568
P75$45,295
P90 (Top)$54,807

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Columbia ($47,779 effective) pays 5.17% more than Mauldin ($45,430 effective).

Columbia
Nominal: $44,751
CoL Index: 93.662
Adjusted: $47,779
Mauldin
Nominal: $41,568
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $45,430

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Columbia if…

  • Higher median salary ($44,751/year)
  • Larger job market (770 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,779)
  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Mauldin if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($54,807)
  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Columbia grew 20.5% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 28.3% growth in Mauldin over the same period.

Columbia, SC

+20.5%

$35,100 (2021) → $42,290 (2025)

Mauldin, SC

+28.3%

$30,625 (2024) → $39,282 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Columbia or Mauldin?

Columbia has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $44,751/year, compared to Mauldin at $41,568/year — a difference of $3,183 (7.66%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Columbia and Mauldin?

Columbia emergency medical technicians earn $21.51/hr while Mauldin hygienists earn $19.99/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Columbia to Mauldin as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Columbia and Mauldin. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Columbia = $47,779, Mauldin = $45,430), job availability (770 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Columbia vs Mauldin?

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $35,598 in Columbia and $32,349 in Mauldin. The Columbia area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AP

Written by Aisha Patel, EMT-P

Career Analyst

Aisha has 10 years of experience as an emergency medical technician. She specializes in pre-hospital care and triage. Aisha works primarily in urban emergency services.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Mendoza, EMT-BData verified by Fatima Ali, EMT-I

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.82% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, EMT-P, a licensed emergency medical technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov