### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

EMTs and Paramedics Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            						
							
				                                                
                                            




            			emts and paramedics imageEMTs and paramedics transport patients to medical facilities.							
						Quick Facts:     EMTs and Paramedics2023     Median Pay
            						$44,780     per year
										$21.53     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    Postsecondary nondegree awardWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    See How to Become OneOn-the-job Training
                                    NoneNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    269,000Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    5% (Faster than average)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    14,600What EMTs and Paramedics Do
                                                
                        
                        
Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics assess injuries and illnesses, provide emergency medical care, and may transport patients to medical facilities.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Most EMTs and paramedics work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Schedules may vary to include nights, weekends, and holidays. Their work may be physically strenuous and stressful, sometimes involving life-or-death situations.
            
                                                How to Become an EMT or Paramedic
                                                
                        
Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics typically complete a postsecondary educational program. All states require EMTs and paramedics to be licensed in the state in which they work; requirements vary by state.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for emergency medical technicians was $38,930 in May 2023.									                                														The median annual wage for paramedics was $53,180 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Overall employment							of EMTs and paramedics is projected to grow							 5 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
						About 18,100 openings for EMTs and paramedics are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for EMTs and paramedics.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of EMTs and paramedics with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about EMTs and paramedics by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What EMTs and Paramedics Do 
            

			EMTs and paramedicsEMTs and paramedics assess a patient’s condition and administer emergency medical care.			
Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics assess injuries and illnesses, provide emergency medical care, and may transport patients to medical facilities.
Duties
EMTs and paramedics typically do the following:
Respond to calls for medical assistance, such as at the scene of a car accident in which someone is injured
Assess people’s condition and determine what treatment, if any, is needed
Provide treatment, such as first aid or life support care, to sick or injured patients
Prepare patients for and safely transport them to the emergency department of a hospital or other healthcare facility
Document and report observations and any treatment provided, to physicians, nurses, or other healthcare staff
Inventory and replace medical supplies and clean equipment after useWhen transporting a patient in an ambulance, one EMT or paramedic may drive the ambulance while another monitors the patient’s vital signs and provides emergency medical care. Some paramedics work as part of a helicopter’s or an airplane’s flight crew to transport critically ill or injured patients to a hospital.
In addition to transporting patients from the scene of an emergency, EMTs and paramedics transfer patients from one medical facility to another. Some patients may need to be transferred to a hospital that specializes in treating their particular injury or illness or to a facility that provides long-term care, such as a nursing home.
EMTs and paramedics must decontaminate the interior of an ambulance after treating a patient who has a contagious disease. They also may need to report the case to the proper authorities.
The specific responsibilities of EMTs and paramedics depend on their level of certification and the state in which they work. EMTs and paramedics sometimes begin with emergency medical responder (EMR) certification and advance to other levels of certification as they gain competency. The following are some of the duties at each of these EMT or paramedic certification levels.****
An ***EMT***, also known as an *EMT-Basic*, cares for patients at the scene of an incident and while taking patients by ambulance to a hospital. An EMT has the skills to assess a patient’s condition and to manage emergencies such as those related to respiratory, cardiac, or trauma incidents.
An ***Advanced EMT***, also known as an *EMT-Intermediate,* has completed both requirements for the EMT-Basic level and instruction that allows them to perform more advanced medical procedures, such as administering intravenous fluids and some medications.
***Paramedics*** provide more extensive prehospital care than do EMTs. In addition to doing the tasks of EMTs, they are able to administer a wider range of medications, such as through intravenous methods. Paramedics also perform advanced airflow management and interpret electrocardiograms (EKGs)—which monitor heart function—and other types of equipment.
EMTs and paramedics typically interact with other public safety and support personnel. For example, a 911 operator sends EMTs and paramedics to the scene of an emergency, where they often work with police and firefighters.
 Work Environment
			EMTs and paramedicsEMTs and paramedics care for sick or injured patients in a prehospital setting.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Emergency medical technicians held about 170,700 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of emergency medical technicians were as follows:
        Ambulance services
                46%Local government, excluding education and hospitals
                26General medical and surgical hospitals; private
                15General medical and surgical hospitals; local
                3Outpatient care centers
                2Paramedics held about 98,300 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of paramedics were as follows:
        Ambulance services
                39%Local government, excluding education and hospitals
                37General medical and surgical hospitals; private
                13General medical and surgical hospitals; local
                4Offices of physicians
                1These employment data exclude volunteer EMTs and paramedics, who share many of the same duties as paid EMTs and paramedics.
EMTs and paramedics work both indoors and outdoors, in all types of weather. Their work is physically strenuous, and they spend much of their time standing or moving. Their work also may be stressful, especially when it involves life-or-death situations. Some paramedics must fly on helicopters or airplanes as part of an air ambulance flight crew.
Injuries and Illnesses
EMTs and paramedics spend considerable time kneeling, bending, and lifting while caring for and moving patients. They may be exposed to serious diseases and viruses, such as HIV. EMTs and paramedics may reduce the risk of injury and illness by following proper safety procedures, such as waiting for police to clear an area in violent situations or wearing a mask and gloves while working with a patient.
Work Schedules
Most 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, their schedules may vary to include nights, weekends, and holidays. Some EMTs and paramedics work extended shifts, such as ones lasting 12, 18, or 24 hours.
 How to Become an EMT or Paramedic

			EMTs and paramedicsEMTs and paramedics need to be physically fit as their job requires bending, lifting, and kneeling.			
Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics typically complete a postsecondary educational program. All states require EMTs and paramedics to be licensed in the state in which they work; requirements vary by state.
Education
High school students interested in becoming EMTs or paramedics should take courses in life sciences and consider becoming certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Some high schools offer EMT training through vocational or technical education programs.
EMTs typically need to complete a postsecondary education program to enter the occupation. Program applicants usually need a high school diploma or equivalent and certification in CPR and basic life support (BLS). However, program entry requirements vary by state.
Most EMT programs lead to a nondegree award. They vary in length but typically take less than 1 year for EMT-Basic certification and up to 2 years for EMT-Intermediate certification. Programs are offered by technical institutes, community colleges, universities, and facilities that specialize in emergency care training. Some instruction may take place in a hospital or ambulance setting.
EMT-Basic programs cover topics such as assessing patients’ conditions, handling emergencies, and using field equipment. Programs that do not require BLS and CPR certification prior to admission include instruction that leads to those certifications as part of the program. EMT-Intermediate programs require additional instruction for advanced skills, such as using complex airway devices, intravenous fluids, and some medications.
Paramedic postsecondary programs require applicants to have EMT-Intermediate certification. Most programs at community colleges typically lead to a nondegree award or an associate’s degree. Some programs are offered by 4-year universities and lead to a bachelor’s degree. Paramedic programs include courses such as anatomy and physiology, EKG interpretation, and maintaining airflow. They typically include supervised field experience.
The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs offers a list of accredited programs for paramedics.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) certifies EMTs and paramedics at the national level. All levels of NREMT certification—including EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate, and paramedics—require completing an approved education program and passing the written national exam. EMT-Intermediates and paramedics have a higher level of skill and must complete an additional hands-on component to complete their certifications.
All states require EMTs and paramedics to be licensed; requirements vary by state. Most states require candidates to have NREMT certification, but others require passage of an equivalent state exam. States also may have other requirements for licensing, such as a minimum age and passing a background check.
Employers typically require job candidates to have a driver’s license and may prefer that they have ambulance driver certification.
Other Work Experience
Paramedics typically need work experience as an EMT prior to entering a paramedic education program.
Working as a volunteer EMT or paramedic may be helpful in getting experience for employment in these occupations.
Advancement
With additional education, paramedics may transfer into other healthcare occupations. For example, paramedic-to-RN programs offer an accelerated pathway to becoming a registered nurse.
Important Qualities
***Communication skills.***EMTs and paramedics must listen to patients describe their injuries and illnesses and to dispatchers and others conveying information. They also need to provide clear instruction and explain procedures.
***Compassion.*** EMTs and paramedics must be able to provide care and emotional support to patients who may be in life-threatening situations or under extreme mental distress.
***Interpersonal skills.*** EMTs and paramedics must be able to coordinate activities with other members of their team. They also interact with a variety of people when responding to calls for assistance.
***Physical strength.*** EMTs and paramedics must be comfortable bending, lifting, and kneeling over the course of their shift.
***Problem-solving skills.*** EMTs and paramedics must evaluate patients’ symptoms and determine the appropriate treatment.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                        EMTs and ParamedicsMedian annual wages, May 2023Paramedics$53,180  Health technologists and technicians$51,250  Total, all occupations$48,060  Emergency medical technicians and paramedics$44,780  Emergency medical technicians$38,930Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for emergency medical technicians was $38,930 in May 2023. 


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 $29,910, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $59,390.The median annual wage for paramedics was $53,180 in May 2023. 


The lowest 10 percent earned less than $38,520, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $79,430.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for emergency medical technicians in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Outpatient care centers
                $65,660General medical and surgical hospitals; private
                41,690Local government, excluding education and hospitals
                39,270General medical and surgical hospitals; local
                38,410Ambulance services
                37,620In May 2023, the median annual wages for paramedics in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        General medical and surgical hospitals; private
                $54,620Local government, excluding education and hospitals
                53,960Ambulance services
                52,270Offices of physicians
                51,850General medical and surgical hospitals; local
                49,780Most 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, their schedules may vary to include nights, weekends, and holidays. Some EMTs and paramedics work extended shifts, such as ones lasting 12, 18, or 24 hours.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                      EMTs and ParamedicsPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Health technologists and technicians7%  Emergency medical technicians5%  Emergency medical technicians and paramedics5%  Paramedics5%  Total, all occupations3%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Overall employment				of EMTs and paramedics is projected to grow				 5 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
			
			About 18,100 openings for EMTs and paramedics are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
Emergencies, such as car crashes, natural disasters, drug abuse incidents, and acts of violence, will continue to require the skills of EMTs and paramedics.
Growth in the middle-aged and older population will lead to an increase in age-related health emergencies, such as falls, heart attacks, and strokes. This increase, in turn, will support demand for EMT and paramedic services.
			

                        Employment projections data for     EMTs and paramedics, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Emergency medical technicians and paramedics**
			29-2040
			269,000
			283,600
			5
			14,600
			Get data**Emergency medical technicians**
			29-2042
			170,700
			180,000
			5
			9,300
			Get data**Paramedics**
			29-2043
			98,300
			103,600
			5
			5,300
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Emergency medical technicians
					Paramedics **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of EMTs and paramedics. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Emergency Management Directors**
            Emergency management directors prepare plans and procedures for responding to natural disasters or other emergencies. They also help lead the response during and after emergencies.
            Bachelor's degree
            $83,960**Firefighters**
            Firefighters control and put out fires and respond to emergencies involving life, property, or the environment.
            Postsecondary nondegree award
            $57,120**Medical Assistants**
            Medical assistants complete administrative and clinical tasks, such as scheduling appointments and taking patients’ vital signs.
            Postsecondary nondegree award
            $42,000**Police and Detectives**
            Police officers protect lives and property. Detectives and criminal investigators gather facts and collect evidence of possible crimes.
            See How to Become One
            $74,910**Physician Assistants**
            Physician assistants examine, diagnose, and treat patients under the supervision of a physician.
            Master's degree
            $130,020**Registered Nurses**
            Registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care and educate patients and the public about various health conditions.
            Bachelor's degree
            $86,070
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about emergency medical technicians and paramedics, visit
National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians
National Association of State EMS Officials
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Emergency Medical Services
National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians
For information about educational programs, visit
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Emergency Medical TechniciansParamedics
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, EMTs and Paramedics, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/emts-and-paramedics.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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