Suppose you want to pursue a career in the emergency medical service (EMS) industry. In that case, there are several key issues to consider, such as the EMS career path to follow and the salary you’re likely to earn.
The primary roles in EMS are emergency medical technician (EMT), advanced emergency medical technician (AEMT), and paramedic. In Arizona, as in many other states, paramedics earn more than EMTs due to their advanced skills, experience, and the challenging medical emergencies they are trained to handle.
Even as you look for the best Arizona EMT certification prep program, consider the potential salaries of each role.
What Determines How Much EMTs and Paramedics Earn
EMTs and paramedics work in the same industry, but their earnings and levels of training differ. The question is precisely how much EMTs get paid in Arizona.
An EMT is an EMS provider with entry-level qualifications, while a paramedic holds the highest level of EMS certification. Many paramedics begin their careers as EMTs and then continue their training and education.
EMT and Paramedic Training and Skill Levels
EMTs undergo basic training, which takes between 120 and 150 hours. This training provides foundational EMS skills, including basic life support, CPR, oxygen administration, bleeding control, wound dressing, spine immobilization, the use of automated external defibrillators, and safe patient transportation.
Paramedics, on the other hand, need to complete advanced training built on the foundation laid in EMT and AEMT training. AEMT training takes about 200 to 400 hours, while paramedic training takes an additional fourteen months to two years to complete. If you decide to pursue fourteen to eighteen months of training, it is often combined with an associate’s degree or college credit.
Some of the advanced skills obtained from paramedic training include advanced life support, electrocardiogram interpretation and cardiac monitoring, intubation and advanced airway management, medication administration, chest decompression, and cricothyrotomy procedures.
Practice Scope and Experience Requirements of Paramedics and EMTs
Paramedics perform more complex and challenging procedures than EMTs, which is why they are required to have more advanced training and extensive experience. EMTs are expected to perform basic medical interventions and stabilize patients.
The complex nature of the medical conditions handled by paramedics also demands that they be compensated appropriately.
EMT and Paramedic Salary Comparison
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the combined median pay for EMTs and paramedics in May 2024 was $46,350 annually, or $22.28 hourly. In Arizona, EMTs earn an average of $19.01 per hour, while paramedics earn an average of $24.57 per hour.
Arizona paramedics in Fort Defiance, Fountain Hills, and Chandler earn more than their colleagues working in other areas of the state. Chandler tops the list with an average annual pay of $43,335. Paramedics in Fort Defiance can earn up to $56,540 per year, or approximately $56,036 and $55,987 per year in Fountain Hills and Chandler, respectively. Scottsdale pays an annual salary of $42,941, and Gilbert an annual salary of $42,316.
If you want higher pay, consider becoming a paramedic. In the US, you must first become an EMT before advancing to the role of a paramedic.
In Summary
If you want to become a paramedic, you might be wondering how much paramedics make in Arizona. The truth is that you can earn over $50,000 a year, depending on the city you work in.
As an EMT, you can make more than $40,000 a year if you work in Chandler, Scottsdale, or Gilbert. Ready for more information on EMT and paramedic training, certification, and earnings? The Paramedic Coach has your back–check out our latest posts or reach out for guidance!
