Contents
Paramedic Salary
| Percentile | 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| Hourly Wage | $9.70 | $11.81 | $14.91 | $19.56 | $25.74 |
| Annual Wage | $20,200 | $24,600 | $31,000 | $40,700 | $53,500 |
How much does a paramedic make? Paramedics treat patients in emergency situations who are sick or injured in accidents. Paramedics are summoned when someone calls 911 to the scene of an emergency. After arriving on the scene, they provide patients with any necessary emergency medical services and often transport the sick and injured to hospitals. In order to become a paramedic, one must complete an accredited program at a state or community college which typically consists of about 1200 hours of schooling. Paramedics must then pass a state licensing exam.
Salary
In 2012, the median annual salary for paramedics was $31,020 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This means that half of paramedics make more than $31,020 and the other half make less than that amount. The highest paid 10 percent in the field in 2012 made $53,550 or more, while the lowest paid 10 percent earned $20,180 or less.
Factors Impacting Salary
The salary of a paramedic is affected by several factors. Generally, thelonger one has been employed in the field the more he or she will earn. Also, obtaining education and training beyond the minimum requirements will often increase earning potential, and the more hours a paramedic works will further increase salary. In addition, paramedics employed by police and fire departments typically earn a higher salary than those employed by hospitals.
Geographical Location and Salary
In some areas of the United States, paramedics typically make more money. The states where paramedics earn the most are Washington DC, Alaska, Washington, Illinois, and Maryland. The cities with the highest paid paramedics are Tacoma, Washington and San Francisco.
Work Environment and Schedule
The work environment of a paramedic varies. Because they are needed in emergency situations, paramedics will often work 24 hour shifts which include nights, weekends, and holidays. The job is extremely demanding since paramedics deal with medical emergencies and must physically lift patients. The majority of paramedics work full time, and most work for ambulance services, the government, and hospitals, often alongside fire fighters and paramedics.
Job Outlook
Jobs for paramedics are expected to increase much faster than other occupations. From 2012 until 2022, jobs in the field are projected to grow at a rate of 23 percent. The increase in the number of positions is due to several factors including the aging population who will require more emergency care and the continuation of emergency situations among the population.
Top Paying Industries
| Industry | Employment | % of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean salary |
| State Government (OES Designation) | 1,250 | 0.06 | $25.70 | $53,470 |
| Scheduled Air Transportation | 60 | 0.01 | $24.67 | $51,320 |
| Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories | – | – | $23.89 | $49,700 |
| Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing | 40 | 0.05 | $21.60 | $44,920 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | 700 | 0.02 | $21.20 | $44,100 |
Salary By State
| State | 10% | 25% | Median | 75% | 90% | Jobs (2010) | Jobs (2020) | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $17,400 | $20,200 | $25,500 | $31,600 | $39,500 | 3,360 | 4,550 | +35% |
| Alaska | $24,900 | $39,500 | $51,500 | $61,700 | $81,200 | 440 | 540 | +23% |
| Arizona | $18,600 | $22,500 | $29,000 | $38,900 | $46,300 | 3,580 | 5,140 | +44% |
| Arkansas | $17,800 | $21,100 | $26,900 | $37,400 | $49,500 | 2,080 | 2,470 | +19% |
| California | $20,300 | $22,800 | $28,800 | $40,200 | $55,200 | 15,900 | 22,600 | +42% |
| Colorado | $20,700 | $26,300 | $35,700 | $51,600 | $65,900 | 3,270 | 3,760 | +15% |
| Connecticut | $25,600 | $31,900 | $38,100 | $47,600 | $57,000 | 3,290 | 4,270 | +30% |
| Delaware | $26,500 | $30,400 | $35,300 | $42,600 | $56,200 | 950 | 1,170 | +23% |
| District of Columbia | $28,100 | $36,000 | $50,700 | $61,600 | $89,500 | 1,110 | 1,310 | +19% |
| Florida | $21,200 | $25,100 | $30,300 | $37,300 | $47,700 | 8,650 | 11,350 | +31% |
| Georgia | $20,800 | $24,300 | $28,900 | $35,400 | $42,900 | 5,580 | 7,160 | +28% |
| Hawaii | – | – | – | – | – | 510 | 630 | +22% |
| Idaho | $17,500 | $21,300 | $28,500 | $35,600 | $45,700 | 850 | 1,120 | +32% |
| Illinois | $19,800 | $26,000 | $41,100 | $68,900 | $88,400 | 12,860 | 15,610 | +21% |
| Iowa | $19,900 | $24,300 | $32,000 | $39,800 | $49,000 | 2,230 | 2,750 | +24% |
| Kansas | $16,900 | $19,100 | $23,100 | $29,700 | $39,800 | 2,830 | 3,420 | +21% |
| Kentucky | $18,100 | $21,800 | $27,900 | $36,200 | $45,200 | 4,560 | 5,790 | +27% |
| Louisiana | $24,400 | $28,800 | $36,500 | $44,100 | $49,600 | 3,790 | 4,730 | +25% |
| Maine | $20,400 | $24,100 | $30,600 | $37,400 | $44,100 | 1,900 | 2,490 | +31% |
| Maryland | $25,500 | $29,900 | $39,800 | $52,500 | $62,400 | 4,740 | 6,120 | +29% |
| Massachusetts | $26,400 | $30,300 | $37,800 | $46,400 | $56,100 | 6,350 | 7,720 | +22% |
| Michigan | $18,400 | $22,600 | $29,200 | $36,300 | $44,300 | 7,380 | 9,080 | +23% |
| Minnesota | $19,400 | $26,600 | $33,300 | $40,900 | $51,100 | 4,430 | 5,860 | +32% |
| Mississippi | $18,300 | $22,200 | $27,600 | $36,000 | $44,500 | 2,050 | 2,410 | +17% |
| Missouri | $19,500 | $23,500 | $30,500 | $40,000 | $53,000 | 7,640 | 8,990 | +18% |
| Montana | $17,800 | $20,600 | $26,700 | $34,800 | $41,500 | 830 | 1,130 | +36% |
| Nebraska | $22,200 | $28,900 | $33,400 | $36,900 | $45,900 | 480 | 570 | +18% |
| Nevada | $21,700 | $26,200 | $33,500 | $42,700 | $56,600 | 1,340 | 1,550 | +15% |
| New Hampshire | $19,300 | $25,300 | $30,800 | $41,400 | $51,700 | 1,340 | 1,700 | +27% |
| New Jersey | $25,000 | $27,300 | $31,400 | $39,200 | $54,700 | 7,540 | 9,420 | +25% |
| New Mexico | $20,000 | $26,200 | $34,000 | $42,100 | $51,600 | 1,390 | 1,730 | +24% |
| New York | $23,000 | $28,500 | $37,800 | $48,300 | $58,400 | 14,650 | 17,970 | +23% |
| North Carolina | $21,200 | $25,100 | $31,200 | $37,700 | $45,400 | 9,290 | 12,150 | +31% |
| North Dakota | $16,700 | $18,700 | $24,800 | $34,100 | $41,500 | 630 | 790 | +25% |
| Ohio | $19,300 | $22,400 | $27,600 | $34,800 | $44,600 | 8,880 | 11,590 | +31% |
| Oklahoma | $18,300 | $22,400 | $30,100 | $38,300 | $47,100 | 2,960 | 3,790 | +28% |
| Oregon | $23,900 | $30,600 | $36,600 | $45,700 | $56,500 | 1,950 | 2,520 | 0% |
| Pennsylvania | $20,700 | $24,900 | $30,100 | $38,100 | $47,300 | 12,940 | 16,720 | +29% |
| Rhode Island | $23,800 | $27,900 | $33,900 | $40,400 | $54,900 | 800 | 970 | +22% |
| South Carolina | $21,700 | $25,700 | $30,900 | $38,100 | $46,700 | 4,560 | 5,690 | +25% |
| South Dakota | $21,900 | $25,000 | $28,900 | $34,600 | $38,800 | 840 | 910 | +8% |
| Tennessee | $19,900 | $23,600 | $29,000 | $37,700 | $50,200 | 7,250 | 9,510 | +31% |
| Texas | $20,400 | $24,500 | $29,700 | $37,900 | $47,000 | 14,630 | 19,800 | +35% |
| Utah | $20,900 | $26,100 | $34,700 | $41,100 | $52,200 | 1,860 | 2,510 | +35% |
| Vermont | $21,200 | $25,300 | $31,300 | $36,200 | $40,000 | 590 | 670 | +14% |
| Virginia | $20,600 | $24,400 | $30,100 | $36,600 | $45,200 | 4,490 | 6,000 | +34% |
| Washington | $23,100 | $29,200 | $42,200 | $73,300 | $90,800 | 3,360 | 3,870 | +15% |
| West Virginia | $17,200 | $19,700 | $24,600 | $30,100 | $40,900 | 1,700 | 2,020 | +19% |
| Wisconsin | $16,800 | $18,800 | $26,300 | $34,000 | $40,200 | 6,380 | 7,470 | +17% |
| Wyoming | $18,200 | $23,000 | $31,200 | $37,600 | $45,100 | 590 | 730 | +22% |
