How Much Does a EMT/Paramedic Make?

An in-depth look at my salary and national averages of EMTs and Paramedics.Yes, I know this is a sensitive topic; however, it is important for people to have realistic expectations going into a profession when it comes to pay and compensation. I am not making this to make anyone feel bad or to brag about my own salary.

Instagram: @prep_medic

[bryangalax]

EMTs: Nothing
Medics: Next to nothing

[sneke]

Sounds about right, I started 7 years ago in my town at the private ambulance service making $8.15 an hour as a EMT (wage cut for me coming from a department store at $9.75 an hour). It wasn’t till I went to a bigger company nearly 3 years ago that I was actually paid $10 and up.

I’m a paramedic now and make over $16. In my opinion, pay should not be the only thing to look for, check for the benefits, the private agency I worked for always took short-cuts to not have to give employees insurance or any benefits for that matter. It wasn’t till I switched to another company that I was given dental/vision and health coverage.

As he said in the video, EMS is a great profession (I actually do like my job even with the bad days, they don’t last forever ya know) it just comes down to finding the right place that fits you and what you are striving for in your career. Sorry for the long post, just wanted to contribute as another professional in EMS.

[vtibchi]

I’ll say this, EMS doesn’t make enough. Period.

[mavrick]

I've been in EMS for 15 years and, in my experience, this video is pretty spot on. Not gonna get rich, but my family is comfortable and I feel like there are some intangible benefits to this profession as well. I wouldn't want to make $80K in a desk job I hate.

[lucasmota]

I want to do this job, have wanted to do it for the past 3 years but never really knew where to start, live in NYC and I'm 19 with my HS diploma but I also don't know how to drive, I found this channel and i'm getting a better idea. Thank you Prepmedic, you truly are a blessing.

[mattslosman]

NC Paramedic here, as an EMT I was making $10 / hr at an Interfacility transport company, with an EMS system as an EMT I started at $12.50. When I made the move to the Paramedic level I left the transport company and started at over $17/hr with one EMS system fulltime, my part time system starts new medics off at $16.50 ish / hour. My fulltime service we work a 24 hour shift based firehouse schedule and my annual pre-tax salary sits somewhere around $50, 000, at just over a year in with a couple extra shifts per month I can breach the $60, 000 mark.

I say all of this to point out that it's tough to get a handle on what we're actually making as a community, because the numbers get skewed with overtime, etc.

[Joshuawelds]

Your professionalism is always enjoyable and appreciated. Thank you for your time in making these types of videos.

[HummingbirdCyborg]

24 hour shifts do help with our relatively poor hourly rates.

I love getting 48 hours in two days with some sleep pay thrown in. Of course, it sucks when you don't get that sleep, but. . .

I prefer it to shift work.

But it isn't ideal.

[geepreston]

Reading these comments I feel extremely blessed as an EMT I make 15 an hr in Texas. I just passed my last paramedic test and looking forward to my 5 $ raise

[paulschafer]

Hey, I just want to say thank you for posting these videos. I’m looking into EMS/EMT to one day be firefighter/EMT and the videos you post help tremendously on understanding the fundamentals that you go through when in this field. I also like that you explain everything in a way that’s easy to understand and not just use medical terms that the average person doesn’t know. Thank you. 🙏

[Because]

underpaid but, l don’t have to sit in a hospital for 36 hours a week. I get to make my own treatment choices without a doctor over my shoulder.

[Mke]

You also need to factor in working in this career over the age of 40 or so. It's a very physical job where much of your day is spent moving dead weight around. It's also dangerous. I've been thrown around in the back of an ambulance before and luckily never got hurt.

[scottvail]

Just wanted to say thank you so much for your videos. They’ve helped me so much and I love what you do. I appreciate the time you put into your videos!

[Marcellolin]

Work as EMT safety standby for construction, mining, or industrial company. You'll get $25 an hour on many major players.

[HippieJoe]

$15.80 an hour in New York is literally MINIMUM WAGE. You get paid the same as a McDonald's Employee. Like what the heck is this state smoking?

[CGR]

IMO it's better to have a higher paying job in a higher cost of living area. While you're basically keeping the same percentage of your income, the actual amount of money that equates to is generally higher. This means being able to save a higher amount of money or being able to better afford items that are universally priced across the US. After retirement though I would definitely recommend moving to a lower cost of living area to better stretch your retirement money.

[RoofieTV]

Nice to hear that Paramedics in the US are just as underpaid as they are in Austria

[harrisonvanandel]

A firefighter-paramedic in southern california can make upwards of $300, 000 a year with overtime. Thats definitely not every department, but it shows the possibility. Yes, the cost of living in Southern California is very high, but with $200-$300K you will be sitting extremely comfortable, even here.


On the other side of this, most of southern california is serviced by private ambulances. These ambulances EMT or Paramedics make almost always $15-18 an hour. in Southern California be ready to live with your mom if you want to be a career EMT or Paramedic.

[kelpygsus]

Chiming in with my compensation.

I work for a City ran EMS agency in rural Iowa. I came in as an EMT-B with only 3 months of volunteer ambulance experience (bad experience too!) and am paid $18.35 an hour. Medics start at $25+ and pay increases are quite large if you stay with the agency, or come in with more experience. I know quite a few medics on the service are making $32+ hourly. Full-time employees are generally working 48 hours a week, while part-time are encouraged to work 24 hours a week (36 if short staffed).

[jadelee]

I was a Fire Medic for the cruise line for the Coast Guard in 2015 in Hawai’i for NCL Pride of America. Always a Fire Medic, long after the duty is done.