How Much Money Do Emergency Medical Technicians Make?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that emergency medical technicians (EMT) make a median salary of $35,470 each year or $17.05 per hour. The bottom 10 percent of emergency medical technicians earn less than $23,620 per year, while the top 10 percent of emergency medical technicians earn more than $47,580 annually.

Do Emergency Medical Technicians Get Paid Well?

EMTs earn less  than the national average for all occupations ($45,760).They also earn less than other health care professionals. The median salary for health care practitioners and technical occupations is $75,040. Emergency Medical Technicians typically have a postsecondary nondegree award. When compared to professions that require a similar level of education, emergency medical technicians earn slightly more. Other professions that require a postsecondary nondegree award have a median salary of $44,420 per year.

How Much Do Emergency Medical Technicians Get Starting Out?

The BLS does not provide average compensation data for entry-level positions for emergency medical technicians just starting out, but the bottom 25 percent of emergency medical technicians earn $28,920 each year.

How Many Emergency Medical Technicians Are There in the United States?

There are 163,400 emergency medical technicians in the U.S. The states with the most emergency medical technicians are California (17,500), New York (17,500) and Texas (10,440)

Where Can Emergency Medical Technicians Earn The Most?

The top-paying states for emergency medical technicians are Hawaii ($55,600), Alaska ($51,330) and Maryland ($50,770). 

Is Becoming An Emergency Medical Technician Worth It?

Deciding whether or not to become an EMT depends on a number of factors such as job growth, salary information, job requirements and required education. As an EMT, you can expect strong demand for your services—employment for EMTs is expected to grow by 7 percent between 2021 and 2031. 

To become an EMT, you must complete a training program and pass a certification exam. These programs typically take about six months to a year to complete and include both classroom instruction and clinical experience. Some states also require EMTs to be licensed.

As an EMT, you will be responsible for providing emergency medical care to patients in a variety of settings. This may include tasks such as evaluating patients, providing first aid, and transporting patients to medical facilities. EMTs work closely with other healthcare professionals and may be responsible for maintaining medical equipment and supplies. EMTs may work in a variety of settings, including ambulances, hospitals, and clinics.

Overall, becoming an EMT can be a rewarding career choice for those who are interested in the field of emergency medical services and have strong communication and problem-solving skills. It offers strong job growth and a reasonable salary, but it also requires some education and training.

How Much Do EMTs and Paramedics Earn in Each State?

The table below compares EMT and paramedic salaries across states and U.S. territories (Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wages May 2020). You can also find data for the number of EMTs and paramedics  in each state as well as the number of paramedics per 1,000 jobs—a figure that can help you determine the job's popularity in a given location. Not all locations have employment statistics.