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Paramedic: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 23, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$60,600median pay per year, or $29.13 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $44,230lowest 10% earn less
  2. $49,66025th percentile
  3. $60,600median
  4. $73,47075th percentile
  5. $84,850top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[6]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[7]

A paramedic in the US earned a median of $60,600 a year in May 2025[1], and jobs are projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations[2][3]. Getting there usually takes EMT training and EMT work experience before a paramedic program[4][5].

Job growth, 2025–35
+5.7%[2]
Openings per year
4,300[8]
Typical entry education
Postsecondary nondegree award[9]

How much do paramedics make?

The median wage for paramedics was $60,600 a year, or $29.13 an hour, in May 2025[1]. Half of paramedics earned more than that and half earned less[1]. The average (mean) wage was a little higher, at $63,360 a year or $30.46 an hour[10].

That is above the $50,980 median for all occupations[7].

Pay varies a lot from one paramedic to another[6][11]:

Percentile Annual Hourly
10th $44,230 $21.27
25th $49,660 $23.88
75th $73,470 $35.32
90th $84,850 $40.80

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $44,230, and the top 10% earned more than $84,850[6]. These percentiles are boundaries in the wage spread. BLS does not publish a starting salary[12].

These numbers cover workers paid a wage or salary, full time and part time. They leave out the self-employed and do not include bonuses outside regular pay or the value of benefits like health insurance[13]. Only 0.5% of paramedics were self-employed in 2025[14].

Pay by state and city

Where you work makes a big difference. Washington had the highest state median for paramedics at $104,310[15]. Next came New Jersey at $86,630, Hawaii at $81,280, the District of Columbia at $78,550 and Connecticut at $77,480[15]. At the other end, Oklahoma had the lowest median among states with data, $46,790[15].

The best-paying metro areas were both in Washington. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue had a median of $123,310 and Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater had $120,260[16]. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA followed at $84,480[16].

The states with the most paramedic jobs were Texas (8,410), Florida (6,970), New York (6,110), North Carolina (5,660) and California (5,190)[17]. Among metro areas, New York-Newark-Jersey City had the most jobs, 3,850, with a median of $79,550[18]. Chicago-Naperville-Elgin was second with 2,560 jobs[18].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
Washington[15]$104,3102,110
New Jersey$86,630540
Hawaii$81,280140
District of Columbia$78,55090
Connecticut$77,4801,000
Minnesota$76,3001,690
Oregon$74,8401,210
California$74,5905,190
New York$73,2006,110
Alaska$71,860310
Maryland$66,6601,910
Massachusetts$66,3401,860
Utah$65,420960
Delaware$64,240340
New Hampshire$64,210420
Wyoming$64,040230
Colorado$63,9102,110
Rhode Island$63,550160
Maine$63,050470
North Dakota$62,320220
Pennsylvania$61,0004,750
Illinois$60,6603,890
Iowa$60,5901,170
Virginia$60,4801,960
Idaho$60,380440
Vermont$60,360190
Indiana$60,3202,680
Florida$60,1406,970
Wisconsin$59,7101,990
Nevada$59,280950
Missouri$59,1803,300
Arizona$58,6002,200
Tennessee$57,6903,710
Georgia$57,6603,250
Texas$57,5008,410
North Carolina$57,3205,660
Nebraska$56,230490
Louisiana$56,0502,040
New Mexico$55,530810
Mississippi$54,6301,150
South Carolina$53,5502,250
Michigan$52,0802,750
Ohio$51,3003,600
Kansas$51,0201,030
Montana$50,890300
Arkansas$50,3101,170
Kentucky$49,8901,800
South Dakota$48,830280
Alabama$48,5401,700
West Virginia$48,4601,090
Oklahoma$46,7901,590

How to become a paramedic

BLS says the typical entry path is a postsecondary nondegree award plus less than 5 years of work experience in a related job, with no typical on-the-job training after hiring[9]. The training details below come from a BLS profile that covers EMTs and paramedics as one group[19].

1) Finish high school or an equivalent, plus CPR and basic life support certification, which EMT programs usually ask for, though rules differ by state[20]. Life science classes and CPR certification in high school can help you prepare[21]. 2) Complete EMT training, where an EMT-Basic program typically takes under 1 year, and EMT-Intermediate can take up to 2 years[22]. Classes are offered at technical institutes, community colleges, universities and emergency care training centers[22]. Intermediate training adds skills such as advanced airway devices, IV fluids and some medicines[23]. 3) Work as an EMT, since paramedics usually build that experience before a paramedic program[5]. Volunteering as an EMT can also help you build experience[24]. 4) Finish a paramedic program, which asks applicants for EMT-Intermediate certification[4]. Community college programs usually end in a nondegree award or an associate's degree, and some universities offer a bachelor's degree[4]. Expect classes like anatomy and physiology and EKG interpretation, plus supervised field work[4]. 5) Get licensed[25]. Every state requires a license for the state where you work, and the rules vary[26][25]. Most states require certification, while others use a state exam instead[25]. A state may also set a minimum age or require a background check[25].

Employers usually want a driver's license and may prefer ambulance driver certification[27]. O*NET places this job in Job Zone Three, meaning medium preparation is needed[28].

What paramedics do

Paramedics give basic and advanced emergency care and assess illnesses and injuries[29]. Common tasks include[30]:

Job titles reported by workers include Critical Care Paramedic, Firefighter Paramedic and Flight Paramedic[31]. Clear communication matters, because the job means listening to patients and dispatchers and explaining procedures[32].

Where they work

Ambulance services employed 46% of EMTs and paramedics in 2025, and local government employed 38%[33]. These BLS counts leave out volunteers[34].

The job happens indoors and outside, in any weather[35]. It is physically hard, with lots of standing and moving, and it can be stressful when lives are at stake[35]. Some paramedics work on helicopter or airplane ambulance crews[35].

EMTs and paramedics have one of the highest injury and illness rates of any occupation[36]. They kneel, bend and lift patients often, and they can be exposed to serious diseases[36]. Following safety steps, like waiting for police in violent scenes or wearing a mask and gloves, can lower the risk[36].

Most EMTs and paramedics work full time, and some work over 40 hours a week[37]. Schedules can include nights, weekends and holidays, and some shifts last 12, 18 or 24 hours[37].

Job outlook

BLS expects paramedic jobs to rise by 5.7% over the 2025 to 2035 decade, adding about 5,800 jobs to reach roughly 108,000[2]. That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations[3].

About 4,300 openings are expected each year on average[8]. That count includes jobs left open when workers retire or switch fields, not only newly created jobs[8]. Each year, about 1.5% of paramedics are expected to leave the labor force and 2.1% to move to another occupation[38].

The projection count includes self-employed workers[2], so it differs from the 100,610 wage and salary jobs in the May 2025 wage survey[39].

Is it a good fit?

Paramedics earn a median above the all-occupations figure[1][7], and pay can be much higher in states like Washington[15]. Jobs are projected to grow faster than average[2][3]. The path is longer than it first looks, because you usually train and work as an EMT before a paramedic program[4][5]. The work is physically hard and can be stressful, with nights, weekends and long shifts[35][37], so it fits people ready for that. With more education, paramedics can move into other healthcare jobs, such as through paramedic-to-RN programs[40].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[41].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a paramedic make an hour?
The median hourly wage was $29.13 in May 2025[1]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $21.27 and the top 10% earned more than $40.80 an hour[11].
What is the highest paying state for paramedics?
Washington, with a median of $104,310 a year in May 2025[15]. New Jersey was second at $86,630[15].
How long does it take to become a paramedic?
There is no single total in BLS data. EMT-Basic training typically takes under 1 year and EMT-Intermediate up to 2 years[22]. You then usually need EMT work experience[5] and a paramedic program[4].
What degree do you need to be a paramedic?
BLS lists a postsecondary nondegree award as the typical entry education[9]. Some paramedic programs lead to an associate's or bachelor's degree[4].
Are paramedics in demand?
Jobs are expected to rise 5.7% over 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% for all occupations[2][3]. About 4,300 openings are expected each year[8].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Paramedics in the US was $60,600 per year and $29.13 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Paramedics is projected to grow 5.7% from 2025 to 2035, from about 102,200 to 108,000 jobs (a change of +5,800). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  4. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  5. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Other Work Experience. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  6. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Paramedics: 10th percentile $44,230, 25th percentile $49,660, 75th percentile $73,470, 90th percentile $84,850. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS Employment Projections: about 4,300 openings for Paramedics are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  9. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Paramedics: education needed for entry: Postsecondary nondegree award; work experience in a related occupation: Less than 5 years; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  10. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Paramedics was $63,360 per year and $30.46 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Paramedics: 10th percentile $21.27, 25th percentile $23.88, 75th percentile $35.32, 90th percentile $40.80. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS Employment Projections: 0.5% of Paramedics were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  15. Median annual wage for Paramedics in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Paramedics (areas with at least 100 jobs): Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $123,310; Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $120,260; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $84,480; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $83,090; Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT $82,060; Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $81,430; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $79,550; New Haven, CT $79,440. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Paramedics jobs: Texas 8,410; Florida 6,970; New York 6,110; North Carolina 5,660; California 5,190. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  18. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Paramedics jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 3,850 (median $79,550); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 2,560 (median $77,670); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 1,980 (median $60,130); St. Louis, MO-IL 1,890 (median $63,050); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 1,760 (median $68,640); Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL 1,650 (median $68,160). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  19. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "EMTs and Paramedics" covers Paramedics together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Other Work Experience. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. O*NET 29-2043.00: Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. O*NET OnLine
  29. O*NET description of Paramedics. O*NET OnLine
  30. O*NET task list for Paramedics. O*NET OnLine
  31. O*NET 29-2043.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Critical Care Paramedic, Firefighter Paramedic, First Responder, Flight Paramedic. O*NET OnLine
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of emts and paramedics in 2025: Ambulance services 46%; Local government, excluding education and hospitals 38%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  35. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  36. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  37. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  38. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Paramedics: 1.5% of workers leave the labor force each year and 2.1% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  39. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 100,610 people were employed as Paramedics in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  40. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  41. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.