A semiconductor ceramic of the present invention includes a Ba m TiO 3 -based composition, as a main component, having a perovskite structure represented by general formula A m BO 3 , wherein part of Ba constituting an A site is replaced with Na, Bi, Ca, and a rare-earth element having an ionic radius smaller than that of the Na; the content of the rare-earth element when the total number of moles of the elements constituting the A site is 1 mole is 0.0005 to 0.015 on a molar ratio basis; and the content of the Ca when the total number of moles of the elements constituting the A site is 1 mole is 0.05 to 0.20 (preferably 0.125 or more and 0.175 or less) on a molar ratio basis. A PTC thermistor includes a component body 1 formed of the semiconductor ceramic. Accordingly, high reliability is achieved even if an alkali metal element is contained.