Paramedic Salary Guide

How Much Does a Paramedic Make?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average annual paramedic salary is $58,410 as of May 2024. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $40,130, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $82,420.

Paramedic Salary by State

State	Hourly Median Wage	Annual Median Wage
Alabama	$21.64	$45,020
Alaska	$32.85	$68,330
Arizona	$24.45	$50,860
Arkansas	$21.98	$45,710
California	$34.70	$72,180
Connecticut	$36.25	$75,400
Delaware	$29.83	$62,040
District of Columbia	$38.92	$80,950
Florida	$28.30	$58,860
Georgia	$24.87	$51,740
Idaho	$30.11	$62,640
Illinois	$28.42	$59,110
Indiana	$28.01	$58,260
Iowa	$25.71	$53,470
Kansas	$23.60	$49,090
Kentucky	$22.91	$47,650
Louisiana	$24.42	$50,800
Maine	$28.75	$59,800
Maryland	$32.54	$67,670
Massachusetts	$30.77	$64,010
Michigan	$24.19	$50,320
Minnesota	$32.69	$68,000
Mississippi	$24.66	$51,290
Missouri	$26.73	$55,600
Montana	$23.73	$49,360
Nebraska	$26.04	$54,170
Nevada	$29.00	$60,320
New Hampshire	$29.11	$60,540
New Jersey	$38.51	$80,100
New Mexico	$24.20	$50,340
New York	$31.93	$66,420
North Carolina	$24.57	$51,110
North Dakota	$28.82	$59,950
Ohio	$23.06	$47,960
Oklahoma	$23.02	$47,890
Oregon	$35.28	$73,380
Pennsylvania	$27.73	$57,670
Puerto Rico	$13.07	$27,180
Rhode Island	$30.54	$63,530
South Carolina	$24.10	$50,130
South Dakota	$23.11	$48,070
Tennessee	$25.42	$52,860
Texas	$25.94	$53,960
Utah	$30.49	$63,430
Vermont	$25.49	$53,010
Virginia	$28.16	$58,570
Washington	$48.45	$100,780
West Virginia	$23.17	$48,190
Wisconsin	$26.93	$56,010
Wyoming	$29.62	$61,600

Via Bureau of Labor Statistics, Accessed 8 July 2025

Salary by Years of Experience

Payscale reports the following paramedic salaries by experience as the following:

• Less than 1 years of experience earn an average hourly salary of $18.20
• 1-4 years of experience earn an average hourly salary of $20.36
• 5-9 years of experience earns an average hourly salary of $21.39
• 10-19 years of experience earns an average hourly salary of $22.94
• 20+ years of experience earns an average hourly salary of $25.17

Salary by Workplace

Your salary as a paramedic may change depending on your workplace. In May 2024, the BLS reported the top 5 highest-paying fields for paramedics as follows:

Workplace	Annual Salary
Local government, excluding education and hospitals	$59,840
Offices of physicians	$59,370
General medical and surgical hospitals; private	$58,780
Ambulance services	$57,720
General medical and surgical hospitals; local	$52,990

How to Make More Money as a Paramedic

If you’re interested in increasing your earnings potential as a paramedic, you have several good options. These include:

Negotiation

This might be uncomfortable for some paramedics but is one of the most effective methods of getting an increase in pay. Paramedics with experience and increased levels of training will find an easier time negotiating for a higher salary. 

The key to an effective negotiation is to do your research. Ensure you know what other facilities in your area are paying for people with your qualifications. 

Overtime

Paramedics who work overtime are entitled to increased pay for their additional work hours. Generally, this is considered time and a half pay.  In most cases, this means working over 40 hours a week. 

The Federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires that all "non-exempt" employees receive overtime pay equal to one-and-one-half times their regular rate of pay for every hour over 40 hours worked during a work week. 

Per Diem or Contract Employment

Per diem and contract employees earn a higher wage than staff members. They are paid a premium for working less desirable shifts and having shifts canceled at any given time. 

Per diem employees are not offered guaranteed hours so remember that a paycheck most likely will not be consistent. 

Hazard Pay

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, hazard pay means “additional pay for performing a hazardous duty or work involving physical hardship.” It may also include work duty that causes “extreme physical discomfort and distress.” 

Is Becoming a Paramedic Worth it?

Becoming a paramedic is a highly demanded career. According to the BLS, the job market for paramedics is projected to grow by 6% from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations.

About 19,200 openings for paramedics are projected each year, on average, over the decade. This figure also includes EMTs.  According to U.S. News & World Report, becoming a paramedic is #23 in the Best Health Care Support Jobs.

You can learn more about how to become a paramedic with our comprehensive guide or by talking with an advisor at your local community college or trade school that offers paramedic training courses.

Salaries of Related Nursing Careers vs. Paramedics 

• Registered Nurse (RN): In May 2024, the BLS reported the average RN salary as $93,600 per year, $45.00 per hour. Over the next decade, the career field will grow by 6% (Faster than average).
  
  
• Nurse Practitioner : In May 2024, the BLS reported the average NP salary as $129,210 per year. Over the next decade, the career field will grow by 40% (Much faster than average).
  
  
• MRI Technician: In May 2024, the BLS reported the average MRI tech salary as $88,180 per year or $42.40 per hour. Over the next decade, the career field will grow by 8% (Faster than average).

Paramedic Salary FAQs 

• Who are the highest-paid paramedics?

  • According to the BLS, paramedics in local government earn the highest salary. They earn an average annual salary of $59,840, but the top 10% of earners make $82,420 or more. 

• Do paramedics make 6 figures?

  • Paramedics rarely make six figures; however, working overtime, call shifts, off-shifts, and even a second job might allow paramedics to earn over six figures. Additionally, this is possible in higher-paying states. 

• Can you make a good living as a paramedic?

  • According to Payscale, paramedics can make a decent annual salary. The cost of living is important to consider when calculating average annual salaries. 

• Is being a paramedic a good career?

  • Yes, being a paramedic is a promising career. There are substantial growth opportunities and career opportunities. Like other careers in healthcare, paramedics are in high demand.