Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Lexington, SC: $19.17 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Lexington, SC runs $19.17 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $39,886 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Lexington's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $20.96 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $23,930 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lexington, South Carolina, the projected emergency medical technician hourly pay is $19.17, which is noticeably lower than the national median hourly rate of $22.62. For part-time and per-diem workers, such as those engaged in ambulance services or providing medical support at events, this rate can significantly impact weekly earnings. A 24-hour workweek, typical for those working three days, allows these technicians to earn approximately $458 weekly. The hourly pay range in Lexington spans from $14.98 for entry-level positions to $24.85 for highly experienced technicians, providing a diverse spectrum of earning potential in various locales such as hospital emergency departments, event medical tents, or tactical incident response units.
About the Lexington 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) | $14.98 | $119.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $16.31 | $130.45 |
| Median (P50) | $19.17 | $153.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $20.73 | $165.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $24.85 | $198.77 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lexington
Based on $19.17/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.17/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lexington, SC can expect to earn approximately $39,883 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,010. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lexington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lexington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $766.98 | $3,324 | $39,883 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $460.19 | $1,994 | $23,930 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $306.79 | $1,329 | $15,953 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Lexington) | $19.17 |
| 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 Lexington, SC earn a median of $39,886 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.24% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 5.50% below the South Carolina state average of $42,207.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.17/hr = $23,930/year (purchasing power: $26,153).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $39,883/year (purchasing power: $43,588).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$14.45/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.12/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.17/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Lexington (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $14.45/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $14.95/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $15.86/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $14.13/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.12/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.17/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.29/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Lexington grew 25.4% from $14.45/hr (2021) to $18.12/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.29/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 Lexington 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 Lexington
For part-time emergency medical technicians in Lexington, working 24 hours a week translates to an annual take-home pay considerably lower than their full-time counterparts. Per-diem emergency medical technician pay in Lexington typically ranges from $20 to $32 per hour with agency or locum assignments often leading to fluctuating earnings. Some specialized roles, such as oil-field medics working on a 14/14 rotation, can achieve rates of $40 to $70 per hour depending on the job's remote nature. The hourly wages vary greatly depending on the type of employer; private ambulance companies might offer less than municipal fire departments due to contracted union rates for firefighter-EMTs. Many EMTs face a choice between accepting lower hourly rates for the benefits of full-time employment and opting for higher rates without employee benefits, which complicates financial decision-making. Negotiation skills are crucial in this environment, especially when considering local conditions and employer norms.
More salary data for Lexington, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Lexington in 2026?
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Related Pages
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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 Lexington. 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 Lexington 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