To become a paramedic, you need to be certified as an emergency medical technician (EMT) first and then complete the national registry paramedic test prep to secure more advanced certifications. With higher levels of education and experience, a paramedic’s salary should increase accordingly.
EMT certification requires a minimal amount of training on such subjects as how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), bandage wounds, treat burns, stabilize broken bones, and administer certain medications. A paramedic, on the other hand, provides the highest level of prehospital care. They’ll perform the same services as EMTs, as well as more advanced life-saving procedures such as cardiac life support, endotracheal intubation, and intravenous access.
As an emergency medical service provider becomes more experienced and is certified to provide more pre-hospital care to a seriously injured or sick patient, their salary tends to increase, as well. While working as a paramedic is admirable and essential, candidates need to be prepared for a job that can be physically demanding and involve stressful life-and-death situations.
Check What Your State Requires
The requirements to become an EMT are standard throughout the United States. However, all states require EMTs and paramedics to be licensed in the state where they work, and certification requirements vary by state.
Paramedic training is rigorous and can take a couple of years to complete. In many cases, a candidate needs to pass the exams administered by the National Registry of EMTs (NREMT), complete certain college-level courses, and fulfill additional requirements mandated by NREMT and the state before they can be certified and work as a paramedic.
How Much Do Paramedics Get Paid?
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national median annual wage for paramedics was $53,180 in May 2023. However, salaries can vary from one state to another, from one community to another, and from employer to employer. The advantages of moving for higher paramedic pay are some of the reasons why many communities experience high turnover in their emergency services.
Some chose to become traveling paramedics. As a nomadic professional, you may be able to double your salary. It is also a way to live, work, and see other parts of the country while providing an important service in communities with shortages of emergency medical service personnel.
Emergency services is a growing field. In 2023, 270,400 people worked as EMTs or paramedics in the US. This number is expected to grow by 6% by 2033, which is a faster rate than many other occupations. This equates to an average of 19,200 new openings each year during this timeframe as experienced workers retire or transition to another line of work.
Big Bills for Big Skills
Working in the emergency medical services field is a rewarding way to make a meaningful contribution in your community and a difference in people’s lives. If you are looking to join a team of like-minded professionals, be sure to find the best training programs boosting paramedic salary in your area.
The Paramedic Coach is an invaluable online resource that can help you prepare for the NREMT exam. For a one-time fee, you gain lifetime access to more than 480 videos, as well as plenty of practice questions, worksheets, drug cards, audio files, and online study groups that can help pave your way to success!
