Athletic Trainers
Median wage · national
$62,520
Range: $55K – $75K
Employed
31K
Openings/yr
2K
Typically: master's degree
HEALTH
Paramedic
Paramedic earn $60,600 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $49,660 and $73,470. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
About Paramedic
Administer basic or advanced emergency medical care and assess injuries and illnesses. May administer medication intravenously, use equipment such as EKGs, or administer advanced life support to sick or injured individuals.
- Median Wage
- $60,600
- Employed Nationally
- 101K
- Openings / Year
- 4,900
- Entry Education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Job Zone
- Zone 3: Medium Preparation
Also known as:
Critical Care Paramedic
ED Paramedic (Emergency Department Paramedic)
EMT Paramedic (Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic)
ER Paramedic (Emergency Room Paramedic)
First Responder
How Much Do Paramedics Make?
Paramedic earn $60,600 nationally, near the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $49,660 and $73,470. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
$60,600
National Median (Annual)
Near the national median for college graduates.
$50K–$73K
Middle 50% Range
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
Earnings Range
$49,660
Entry-level
$60,600
Median
$73,470
Experienced
What Is the Job Outlook for Paramedics?
The BLS projects +5.0% employment change for Paramedic through 2034, roughly in line with the national average of +5%. About 4,900 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
↗ +5.0%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)
About as fast as average.
4,900
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
101K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
Where the Jobs Are
The five states below employ the most Paramedic professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $60,600 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 8,560 | $53,960 | -11.0% |
| 2 | Florida | 6,530 | $58,860 | -2.9% |
| 3 | California | 6,090 | $72,180 | +19.1% |
| 4 | New York | 5,820 | $66,420 | +9.6% |
| 5 | North Carolina | 5,330 | $51,110 | -15.7% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
Most Paramedic positions require a postsecondary nondegree award to qualify. The program below is the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
Typical Entry Education
Postsecondary nondegree award
Job Zone
Zone 3: Medium Preparation
A medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience.
Degree Programs That Lead Here
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Allied Health Diagnostic | 85,413 | $70,786 | 1,768 |
Top Colleges for Aspiring Paramedics
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL | 93 | $6,541 | $71,588 |
| 2 | Stanford University Stanford, CA | 92 | $13,807 | $124,080 |
| 3 | North Florida College Madison, FL | 91 | $804 | $33,929 |
| 4 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI | 91 | $13,138 | $83,648 |
| 5 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC | 90 | $11,655 | $72,200 |
| 6 | California State University-Long Beach Long Beach, CA | 90 | $10,440 | $64,403 |
Plan Your Path
Once you've sized up Paramedic, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if the degree that leads to Paramedic pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Paramedic Pros & Cons
The data on Paramedic shows 3 measurable strengths and 1 real trade-offs. All points are drawn from BLS wage data, employment projections, and IPEDS program completions.
PROS
- Competitive salary $60,600 median wage puts this career near or above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
- Steady job outlook The BLS projects +5.0% growth through 2034, keeping pace with the national average. Demand is stable and annual openings remain consistent.
- Accessible entry path The typical entry requirement is a postsecondary nondegree award, lower than many comparable-paying careers. This creates a shorter path from training to first paycheck.
CONS
- Limited annual openings With only 4,900 openings per year relative to field size, competition for available positions is intense. Networking and experience matter more here than in higher-turnover fields.
Paramedic Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Paramedic professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for Paramedic is $60,600, near the national median for full-time workers. The middle 50% of earners fall between $49,660 and $73,470. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is Paramedic a good career?
For people genuinely interested in the work, yes. At $60,600 median, with +5.0% projected growth through 2034, there is a real financial case and a stable market for new entrants. Compare program net price against local salary outcomes (not just the national median) before committing.
How do I become a Paramedic?
Most Paramedic positions require a postsecondary nondegree award as the minimum credential. a medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience. Programs like Allied Health Diagnostic are common starting points.
What is the job outlook for Paramedic?
The BLS projects +5.0% employment change for Paramedic through 2034, about as fast as average compared to all occupations. About 4,900 job openings per year are projected, including new positions and replacements for workers who retire or change careers. 101K people currently work in this occupation nationwide (BLS May 2024).
How competitive is it to get a job as a Paramedic?
Competitive. With roughly 4,900 annual openings in a field of 101K workers, the ratio of openings to existing employment is below 5%. Most hiring replaces workers who retire or leave rather than filling new positions. Strong credentials, relevant experience, and professional network matter significantly more here than in growing fields.
Related Findings
-
10 Six-Figure Careers That Do Not Need a Bachelor's Degree
Air traffic controllers earn more than the typical bachelor's-degree career, with an associate degree. The occupations that pay six figures without four years of college.
- No bachelor degree
- High paying careers
- Associate degree
- Trades
- Median wage
-
Does a Master's Degree Pay Off? Barely, on Average
Group every career by the degree it requires and master's-level jobs pay a median of about $91,000, statistically tied with bachelor's-level work. The premium hides in a few fields.
- Master's degree
- Bachelor's degree
- Median wage
- Graduate school
- Career outcomes
-
Growing and Paying $80K Plus: The Careers That Do Both
Only 95 of 385 federal careers both pay a median above $80,000 and grow faster than the typical job. Here is the rare set that clears both bars.
- Career growth
- Median wage
- High-paying careers
- Job outlook
- Career change
Continue Exploring
Browse our full directory: every college, major, program, and career we track, all built from verified government data.
Colleges
Discover 3,811 verified US colleges and universities. Compare admissions, costs, outcomes, and earnings across every accredited institution nationwide.
Majors
Explore 38 fields of study spanning STEM, health, business, and the humanities. See earnings, top programs, and demand.
Programs
Browse 375 specific degree programs. See completion counts, earnings outcomes, and the colleges awarding the most graduates each year.
Careers
Look up 395 BLS occupations. Get median wages, growth projections, education requirements, and the majors leading to each career.