Emergency Medical Technician Earnings

The median annual wage for EMTs and paramedics was $34,320 in May 2018. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $22,760, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $58,640.

In May 2018, the median annual wages for EMTs and paramedics in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

• Hospitals; state, local, and private: $36,650
• Local government, excluding education and hospitals: $36,450
• Ambulance services: $31,590

Most paid EMTs and paramedics work full time. Some work more than 40 hours per week. Because EMTs and paramedics must be available to work in emergencies, they may work overnight and on weekends. Some EMTs and paramedics work shifts in 12- or 24-hour increments. Volunteer EMTs and paramedics have variable work schedules. For example, they may work only a few days per week.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook