How to Become a Paramedic in North Carolina (2026)

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

North Carolina employs about 5,660 paramedics earning a median $57,320 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Paramedic here means completing a CAAHEP-accredited paramedic program after EMT, the NREMT paramedic exam, and state paramedic licensure, then applying through NC Department of Health & Human Services - Health Service Regulation.

North Carolina employs approximately 5,660 paramedics according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $57,320 1. The state’s concentration of paramedic jobs is 1.77x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, paramedic employment is projected to grow 5.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 4,900 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Paramedic in North Carolina, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Quick Answers About How to Become a Paramedic in North Carolina

How to become a Paramedic in North Carolina? Complete a CAAHEP-accredited paramedic program after EMT, the NREMT paramedic exam, and state paramedic licensure. Apply through NC Department of Health & Human Services - Health Service Regulation. See the NREMT 3 for the national exam.

How long does it take? Most people finish a CAAHEP-accredited paramedic program after EMT, the NREMT paramedic exam, and state paramedic licensure. Confirm current hour totals with the training program and NC Department of Health & Human Services - Health Service Regulation.

Do I need a license in North Carolina? Yes. North Carolina certifies paramedics through NC Department of Health & Human Services - Health Service Regulation 4. You also pass the NREMT exam in most states. See the licensing section below.

What do paramedics earn in North Carolina? The median annual wage for paramedics in North Carolina is $57,320 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $44,730 and experienced professionals can earn $75,170 or more 1.

How to Become a Paramedic in North Carolina

  1. Hold an EMT credential and meet program entry rules. Paramedic programs in North Carolina typically require a current EMT certification, a high school diploma or GED, and CPR. Confirm age, driving, and background-check rules with the program.
  2. Complete a CAAHEP-accredited paramedic program. Enroll in a state-approved, CAAHEP-accredited paramedic program in North Carolina. These programs are longer than EMT training and combine classroom work with clinical and field internships. Confirm current length with the program. This is not a registered apprenticeship path.
  3. Pass the NREMT paramedic exam. Pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians paramedic exam. See the NREMT 3 for current cognitive and psychomotor rules.
  4. Apply for North Carolina paramedic licensure. Apply through NC Department of Health & Human Services - Health Service Regulation. Some states also require a local EMS agency affiliation. Confirm current fees and reciprocity before you practice.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Paramedic License Requirements in North Carolina

The NC Department of Health & Human Services - Health Service Regulation oversees paramedic licensure in North Carolina 4. Most candidates complete a CAAHEP-accredited paramedic program after EMT and take the NREMT paramedic exam 3.

Typical paramedic path

  1. Hold a current EMT certification.
  2. Complete a CAAHEP-accredited paramedic program (longer than EMT; confirm length with the school).
  3. Pass the NREMT paramedic exam.
  4. Apply for North Carolina paramedic licensure.

Hour totals, background checks, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the North Carolina EMS office before you enroll.

Paramedic Wages by Metro Area in North Carolina

Paramedics Wages by Metro Area in North Carolina

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), paramedics wages in North Carolina vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia1,180$61,660$63,240$50,380$77,600
Raleigh-Cary470$65,220$64,390$48,940$75,950
Winston-Salem420$58,110$55,680$41,030$62,610
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk400$64,120$64,500$47,360$77,280
Greensboro-High Point320$58,980$56,750$47,420$71,280
Asheville280$63,480$61,910$47,650$77,690
Durham-Chapel Hill230$64,310$64,290$48,810$75,340
Wilmington210$61,060$60,210$39,200$80,170
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton180$49,460$51,340$48,570$59,670
Fayetteville130$68,220$66,630$56,520$78,600
Rocky Mount130$52,470$52,470$44,650$61,730
Greenville120$53,210$54,060$43,730$63,310

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for paramedics in North Carolina? North Carolina currently employs approximately 5,660 paramedics 1. Nationally, paramedic employment is projected to grow 5.0% from 2024 to 2034 2.

Can I work as a paramedic in North Carolina with an out-of-state license? Contact the NC Department of Health & Human Services - Health Service Regulation for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in North Carolina? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in North Carolina.

How much do paramedics earn in North Carolina compared to the national average? The median annual wage for paramedics in North Carolina is $57,320, which is $1,090 below the national median of $58,410 according to BLS data 1.

In North Carolina

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Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. NREMT - National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians: https://www.nremt.org/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  4. NC Department of Health & Human Services - Health Service Regulation - Licensing Information: https://info.ncdhhs.gov/dhsr/testrules.htm ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)