Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Aiken, SC: $20.13 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Aiken, SC runs $20.13 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $41,873 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Aiken's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $22.00 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $25,118 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Aiken, South Carolina, emergency medical technicians (EMTs) earn a median hourly rate of $20.13, which falls below the national median of $22.62. This rate significantly affects part-time and per-diem workers in the field, many of whom operate in diverse settings such as ambulance compartments, fire engine medical bays, hospital emergency departments, and event medical tents. For those working three days a week, primarily in part-time positions, the hourly rate translates to varying weekly earnings depending on their schedule and commitment to each shift. Entry-level EMTs may start at an hourly rate of $15.92, while top earners can command around $27.60 per hour, showcasing the range of earnings based on experience and specialization within Aiken's emergency medical services.
About the Aiken Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($34,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.92 | $127.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.28 | $138.24 |
| Median (P50) | $20.13 | $161.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.52 | $180.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $27.60 | $220.78 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Aiken
Based on $20.13/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $20.13/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Aiken, SC can expect to earn approximately $41,864 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $24,152. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Aiken.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Aiken
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $805.08 | $3,489 | $41,864 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $483.05 | $2,093 | $25,118 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $322.03 | $1,395 | $16,746 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Aiken) | $20.13 |
| Paramedic (National Avg) | $27.18 |
| Nursing Assistant (National Avg) | $18.62 |
| Firefighter (National Avg) | $26.89 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.25 |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Aiken, SC earn a median of $41,873 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.02% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 0.80% below the South Carolina state average of $42,211.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $20.13/hr = $25,118/year (purchasing power: $27,452).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $41,864/year (purchasing power: $45,753).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$15.17/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$19.02/hr
2026 Current Est.
$20.13/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Aiken (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $15.17/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.69/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $16.65/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $14.83/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $19.02/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20.13/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.30/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Aiken grew 25.4% from $15.17/hr (2021) to $19.02/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.30/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem emergency medical technicians can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Aiken metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.82% CAGR derived from 5-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Emergency Medical Technician in Aiken
Prospective EMTs examining the earning potential should carefully consider their options between part-time work and per diem positions. A 24-hour work week as a part-time EMT might yield approximately $25,000 annually, in stark contrast to the full-time equivalent. On the other hand, per diem emergency medical technician pay in Aiken can range significantly, with many companies offering rates between $20 and $32 per hour, depending on the service provided. In specialized roles, such as oil-field medic positions, hourly pay can reach between $40 and $70, influenced by the location's remoteness and the associated demands. EMTs in Aiken may find disparities in pay based on employer types; for example, municipal fire department wages often exceed those of private ambulance services. Those balancing higher hourly wages against the stability provided by employer-sponsored benefits may face challenging choices. Negotiation tactics can also be crucial for hourly employees; understanding the local market and how different certifications impact pay can empower EMTs to secure better compensation packages.
More salary data for Aiken, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for emergency medical technicians in Aiken. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Aiken is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.82%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for emergency medical technicians (SOC 29-2042).
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