Paramedic Salary Guide
How Much Does a Paramedic Make?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of 2021, the average annual paramedic salary is $46,770. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $34,420, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $74,200.
Paramedic Salary by State
|
State |
Annual Salary |
Hourly Wage |
|
Tennessee |
$54,068 |
$25.99 |
|
Hawaii |
$52,785 |
$25.38 |
|
Nevada |
$52,212 |
$25.10 |
|
Massachusetts |
$52,100 |
$25.05 |
|
Minnesota |
$51,677 |
$24.84 |
|
Connecticut |
$51,331 |
$24.68 |
|
Rhode Island |
$50,085 |
$24.08 |
|
Oregon |
$50,003 |
$24.04 |
|
Washington |
$49,933 |
$24.01 |
|
Alaska |
$49,726 |
$23.91 |
|
Wisconsin |
$49,709 |
$23.90 |
|
New York |
$49,592 |
$23.84 |
|
Ohio |
$48,961 |
$23.54 |
|
North Dakota |
$48,805 |
$23.46 |
|
Utah |
$47,767 |
$22.97 |
|
Iowa |
$47,621 |
$22.90 |
|
Maryland |
$47,411 |
$22.79 |
|
New Mexico |
$47,134 |
$22.66 |
|
South Dakota |
$46,803 |
$22.50 |
|
Virginia |
$46,148 |
$22.19 |
|
Idaho |
$45,979 |
$22.11 |
|
New Hampshire |
$45,898 |
$22.07 |
|
California |
$45,226 |
$21.74 |
|
Colorado |
$45,164 |
$21.71 |
|
Kentucky |
$45,130 |
$21.70 |
|
Vermont |
$45,038 |
$21.65 |
|
Delaware |
$44,709 |
$21.49 |
|
Nebraska |
$44,548 |
$21.42 |
|
Kansas |
$44,516 |
$21.40 |
|
South Carolina |
$44,127 |
$21.21 |
|
New Jersey |
$43,923 |
$21.12 |
|
Arizona |
$43,897 |
$21.10 |
|
Mississippi |
$43,686 |
$21.00 |
|
Wyoming |
$43,504 |
$20.92 |
|
Maine |
$42,958 |
$20.65 |
|
Arkansas |
$42,831 |
$20.59 |
|
Oklahoma |
$42,567 |
$20.47 |
|
Indiana |
$42,385 |
$20.38 |
|
Illinois |
$42,233 |
$20.30 |
|
Michigan |
$42,100 |
$20.24 |
|
Montana |
$41,921 |
$20.15 |
|
West Virginia |
$41,803 |
$20.10 |
|
Missouri |
$41,588 |
$19.99 |
|
Louisiana |
$41,373 |
$19.89 |
|
Pennsylvania |
$40,809 |
$19.62 |
|
Texas |
$40,781 |
$19.61 |
|
Alabama |
$38,236 |
$18.38 |
|
North Carolina |
$36,975 |
$17.78 |
|
Florida |
$36,016 |
$17.32 |
|
Georgia |
$35,178 |
$16.91 |
Via ZipRecruiter
Salary by Years of Experience
According to Payscale, as of 2023, paramedics earn 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 $19.08
-
5-9 years of experience earns an average hourly salary of $19.99
-
10-19 years of experience earns an average hourly salary of $21.80
-
20+ years of experience earns an average hourly salary of $24
Salary by Work Setting
According to the BLS, as of May 2021, the median annual wages for paramedics in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
-
General medical and surgical hospitals; private - $47,000
-
Local government, excluding education and hospitals - $46,950
-
Ambulance services - $46,660
-
General medical and surgical hospitals; local - $46,460
-
Administrative and support and waste management and remediation services - $37,230
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 very in-demand career. According to the BLS, there is a projected growth of 7% from 2021 to 2031, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 20,000 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
Registered Nurses (RN) average annual salary is $77,600 as of May 2021, according to the BLS. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $59,450, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $120,250.
Nurse Practitioner
Nurse Practitioners (NP) average annual salary is $120,680 as of May 2021, according to the BLS. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $79,870, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $200,540.
MRI Technician
According to the BLS, the median annual wage for MRI technologists was $77,360 in May 2021. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $59,110, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $100,870.
