In March 2025, the average salary of a paramedic working in Washington State is estimated to be around $62,000, or about $30 per hour. Entry-level positions start at just under an average of $50,000, and experienced paramedics can earn up to $80,000 per year.
Many of these professionals complete online EMT training in Washington State before advancing to the role of paramedic. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average paramedic salary in Washington State is also higher than the national mean of $57,450 ($27.62 per hour) reported in 2023.
What Does a Paramedic Do?
Paramedics are emergency medical responders who provide life-saving care to patients who are sick or severely injured. They assess a patient’s illness and injuries and keep them stable while transferring them to the hospital, where they are seen by a physician or advanced medical staff.
Compared to EMTs, paramedics complete more extensive training and are certified to perform more advanced procedures and life support. Some examples of the tasks a paramedic might perform include monitoring and interpreting electrocardiography readings to help diagnose heart attacks and intubating a patient to open blocked or damaged airways.
Paramedics must have a high school diploma or equivalent. Some employers and training programs also require paramedics to have an associate’s degree and experience working as an EMT.
Before becoming a paramedic, candidates must complete EMT and paramedic training approved by Washington State and the National Registry of EMTs (NREMT). Paramedic training ranges between 1,200 and 1,800 hours and can take one to two years to complete.
Variations in Salary
Entry-level paramedic salaries range between $24 and $33 per hour in Washington. This variation indicates that there may be opportunities to increase your pay based on experience and education levels.
Metropolitan areas tend to pay more than rural areas, but employment location may not play as big of a factor in salary rates as you might think. There are only a handful of cities in Washington State that pay above the average rate; these include Mercer Island ($67,000), Maple Valley ($63,500), Issaquah ($63,200), Seattle ($62,400) and Kirkland ($62,300). If the cost of living is lower in one of these cities, it may make one location more desirable because your salary will go further.
On the other hand, state governments and health practitioner offices tend to pay better than other employers. These are followed by medical and diagnostic laboratories, corporations, and local governments.
How to Increase Your Wages
The best way to increase your salary is to continue with your education and secure additional certifications. This point is proven by comparing an EMT salary in Washington State with what you can earn as a paramedic.
Passing NREMT and state examinations can be difficult and requires a considerable amount of studying and preparation. It’s important to make yourself familiar with the requirements of each certification to ensure you qualify and are ready for this career before enrolling in a class or investing your time preparing for an exam. This is where The Paramedic Coach can be extremely helpful!
What The Paramedic Coach Can Do For You
The Paramedic Coach offers lifetime access to our Video Vault for a one-time fee that thousands of emergency services students have leveraged to help pass their NREMT exams. We provide practical information about how NREMT exams are structured and scored–advice that is sure to lower your stress levels and better prepare you for the exam.
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