Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Myrtle Beach, SC: $19.79 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Myrtle Beach, SC runs $19.79 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $41,164 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Myrtle Beach's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.13 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,696 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, the median hourly pay for emergency medical technicians is projected to be $19.79 in 2026, reflecting a notably lower compensation compared to the national median hourly rate of $22.62. This difference highlights the challenges faced by part-time EMTs and per diem workers operating in various settings such as ambulances, fire engines, and hospital emergency departments. For those working part-time, averaging three 12-hour shifts per week, earnings would typically translate into a stable paycheck, albeit below the national median, as they navigate a job market that offers a range from $18.65 for entry-level positions to $23.80 for those with more experience and certifications. Official data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates a growing number of opportunities in Myrtle Beach as the local healthcare landscape evolves.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.65 | $149.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.50 | $156.02 |
| Median (P50) | $19.79 | $158.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21.83 | $174.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $23.80 | $190.39 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Myrtle Beach
Based on $19.79/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.79/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Myrtle Beach, SC can expect to earn approximately $41,160 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,746. With a cost-of-living index of 93.64 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Myrtle Beach.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Myrtle Beach
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $791.53 | $3,430 | $41,160 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $474.92 | $2,058 | $24,696 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $316.61 | $1,372 | $16,464 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Myrtle Beach) | $19.79 |
| 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 Myrtle Beach, SC earn a median of $41,164 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.52% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 2.50% below the South Carolina state average of $42,219.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.79/hr = $24,696/year (purchasing power: $26,373).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $41,160/year (purchasing power: $43,954).
CoL index: 93.642 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$17.18/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.70/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.79/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+21.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Myrtle Beach (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $17.18/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.42/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.05/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.99/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.70/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.79/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.94/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Myrtle Beach grew 8.8% from $17.18/hr (2021) to $18.70/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.94/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 Myrtle Beach 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 Myrtle Beach
Analyzing the hourly earnings potential provides a more nuanced picture of economic realities for EMTs in Myrtle Beach. For example, an emergency medical technician working part-time with a schedule of three days a week may see an annual income that substantially diverges from their full-time counterparts, largely due to the limited hours worked. In contrast, per diem positions often command higher hourly rates: event coverage and private company stints can range from $20 to $32 per hour, while oil-field medic positions typically offer $40 to $70 per hour depending on location specifics and job demands. Additionally, compensation can vary widely among employers types—municipal fire departments tend to pay more due to union contracts compared to private EMS companies. An important consideration for EMTs when negotiating pay is balancing hourly wages with benefits; some may prefer a higher hourly rate without health benefits, while others might accept lower wages in exchange for job security and medical coverage. Being informed about these dynamics is crucial for anyone looking to advance in their emergency medical technician career in the Myrtle Beach area.
More salary data for Myrtle Beach, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Myrtle Beach in 2026?
How much do part-time emergency medical technicians make in Myrtle Beach?
Are emergency medical technicians in Myrtle Beach paid hourly or salary?
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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 Myrtle Beach. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 4-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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