Paramedic Salary in Raleigh, NC
Paramedics in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median $65,220 a year — 8% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $52,491 take-home, or $4,374 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median paramedic salary in Raleigh, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,646
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,044
- Medicare (1.45%)$946
- North Carolina income tax$2,094
- Take-home pay$52,491
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.99% state
Paramedic pay by experience in Raleigh, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,940 | $23.53 | $40,059 | $3,338 |
| 25th percentile | $58,460 | $28.11 | $47,329 | $3,944 |
| Median (50th) | $65,220 | $31.36 | $52,491 | $4,374 |
| 75th percentile | $75,170 | $36.14 | $59,222 | $4,935 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,950 | $36.51 | $59,739 | $4,978 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $65,220 buys in Raleigh, NC
Prices in Raleigh, NC are 1.8% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.03× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median paramedic's $52,491 take-home pay has the buying power of $53,476 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Paramedic jobs are about as common in Raleigh, NC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.98).
Best-paying cities for paramedics, adjusted for cost of living
Raleigh, NC ranks #12 of 40 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $123,310 | $95,548 | $85,977 |
| 2 | Memphis, TN | $66,830 | $55,845 | $60,583 |
| 3 | Chicago, IL | $77,670 | $59,771 | $57,697 |
| 4 | Austin, TX | $67,290 | $56,169 | $57,276 |
| 5 | Minneapolis, MN | $77,430 | $59,560 | $56,820 |
| 6 | Salt Lake City, UT | $71,440 | $56,839 | $56,350 |
| 7 | Nashville, TN | $63,450 | $53,162 | $55,183 |
| 8 | New York, NY | $79,550 | $61,095 | $54,276 |
| 12 | Raleigh, NC | $65,220 | $52,491 | $53,476 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 40 metros →
Paramedic salaries elsewhere in North Carolina
- Charlotte, NC — $61,660
Frequently asked questions
How much does a paramedic make in Raleigh, NC?
The median paramedic salary in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $65,220 a year, or about $31.36 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $58,460 and $75,170.
What is a paramedic’s take-home pay in Raleigh, NC?
On the median $65,220 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $52,491 a year ($4,374 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,094 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Raleigh, NC a good place to work as a paramedic?
Pay here is 8% above the national median of $60,600. Local prices are 1.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $53,476 would in a typical U.S. city. Raleigh, NC ranks #12 of 40 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a paramedic afford rent in Raleigh, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Raleigh, NC is $1,596 a month ($1,750 for two bedrooms) — 36% of a median paramedic’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Raleigh, NC
- Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
- General Internal Medicine Physician — $239,200+
- Dentists, General — $207,380
- Pharmacist — $133,120
- Veterinarian — $130,350
- Nurse Practitioner — $128,150
- Physician Assistant — $124,300
- Physical Therapist — $99,900
- Dental Hygienist — $98,800
- Speech-Language Pathologist — $87,400
- Registered Nurse — $84,830
- Occupational Therapist — $84,080