Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Sumter, SC: $39,820 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Sumter, SC earns a median $39,820/year (≈ $19.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Sumter's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.0), that paycheck buys what $45,240 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.7% below the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The role of an emergency medical technician (EMT) in Sumter, SC, offers a median annual salary of $39,820 for 2026, reflecting a notable gap compared to the national median of $47,058. The salary range for EMTs in the area spans from $31,735 at the lower tenth percentile to $48,582 at the upper ninetieth percentile. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. This compensation structure highlights the importance of advancing to a paramedic position, which can significantly enhance earning potential. As EMTs evolve their skills and meet the requirements set forth by the NREMT and NHTSA standards, they are often able to command higher salaries and benefits.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,735 | $15.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31,735 | $15.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $39,820 | $19.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44,540 | $21.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48,582 | $23.35 |
Median Salary Position
15.38% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sumter
In Sumter, SC, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $16,847 (2026 est.). At $39,820, the local median is 15.38% below the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sumter: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sumter Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Sumter median: $39,820/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sumter Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $42,227 | -5.70% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | -15.38% less |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Sumter, SC earn a median of $39,820 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.38% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 5.70% below the South Carolina state average of $42,227.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sumter has a cost of living 11.98% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sumter, SC has a cost-of-living index of 88.02 (below the national average of 100). A emergency medical technician earning $39,820 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $45,240 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.61% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$28,820
2025 BLS Actual
$37,630
2026 Current Est.
$39,820
2021–2027 Growth
+46.2%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Sumter (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $28,820 | Actual |
| 2022 | $34,140 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,780 | Actual |
| 2024 | $31,600 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,630 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,820 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,138 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sumter metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 30.6% from $28,820 (2021) to $37,630 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,138 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,318 (46.21%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sumter 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $31,735 – $31,735 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $31,735 – $39,820 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $39,820 – $44,540 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $44,540 – $48,582 |
EMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual emergency medical technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Emergency Medical Technician Job Market in Sumter
In Sumter, there are currently 60 emergency medical technicians employed, which contributes to a solid local job market. With a cost-of-living index of 88.02, wages may seem lower than expected when analyzed against broader economic conditions, affecting overall take-home purchasing power. Among local employers, municipal fire departments typically offer the highest pay due to the benefits of union contracts, while private ambulance services lag behind due to tight budgets and less favorable pay structures. The salary spread reflects various factors such as shift differentials, overtime, and the EMT-to-paramedic progression. To maximize their earning potential in Sumter, aspiring EMTs should consider seeking employment with municipal fire departments, engaging in overtime opportunities, and aiming for the paramedic pathway where significant salary increases are prevalent.
More salary data for Sumter, 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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $37,630 for emergency medical techniciansin the Sumter metropolitan area. A 5.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-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