The median annual wage for EMTs and paramedics was $31,980 in May 2015.
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 $20,860, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $55,110.
In May 2015, the median annual wages for EMTs and paramedics in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
Hospitals; state, local, and private
$34,810
Local government, excluding education and hospitals
34,770
Ambulance services
29,710
Most paid EMTs and paramedics work full time. About 1 in 3 worked more than 40 hours per week in 2014. 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.
EMTs and Paramedics
Median annual wages, May 2015
Health technologists and technicians
$42,190
Total, all occupations
$36,200
Emergency medical technicians and paramedics
$31,980
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics