By Kerri Hatt
RALEIGH, N.C. — Hundreds of Wake County EMS providers will be receiving a pay increase as soon as April.
The pay raises will make Wake County EMS providers the highest paid in the state, impacting more than 320 providers at a more than $7 million cost to the county, according to WRAL.
WRAL reported EMS Director Chris Colangelo said the county’s EMS is competing with other healthcare providers, including urgent care centers, emergency departments and even dental offices in the area.
A Wake County EMS Facebook post announcing the increase reads, “This is a well deserved adjustment for our providers who have worked extremely hard during the peak of extreme call volume and low staffing. We are extremely grateful for the support of all involved in making this happen.”
Pay will increase from $17.33 an hour to $20 an hour for EMTs, and from a minimum of $24.91 an hour to $28.13 an hour for paramedics. Shift commander pay will increase from a minimum of $34.82 an hour to $37.43.
Colangelo said Wake County EMS is also working to improve schedules to both attract new talent and retain the current staff.