Overview
SourcedAdminister 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.
O*NET definition of Paramedics (SOC 29-2043) · Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed.
Occupation figures cover every job classified under SOC 29-2043, including Firefighter/Paramedic.
Titles employers use
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership; U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database; GovJobs Wiki (editorial). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Requirements
Sourced- Education needed to enter
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Related work experience
- Less than 5 years
- On-the-job training
- None
Education workers say the job requires
Share of surveyed workers in Paramedics (SOC 29-2043) naming each level as required to be hired, 31 respondents, O*NET survey August 2026. Each employer sets its own minimum.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4); U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.
How to get hired
SourcedEmergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics typically complete a postsecondary educational program. All states require EMTs and paramedics to be licensed in the state in which they work; requirements vary by state.
From the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile “EMTs and Paramedics”, published August 27, 2026 · Read the full profile. National guidance; each employer runs its own hiring process.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–35 edition (XML compilation). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Academy and training
Sourced- SOC 29-2043
- None
- Job zone
- Medium Preparation Needed
Academy length, curriculum and paid-training policies are set by each employer and state; they are part of the employer collection stage.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Promotion ladder
EditorialSeniority steps: single title × seniority steps; growth via steps, overtime, bidding (bus operator, sanitation, dispatcher). Typical structure for a public ems agency; titles, steps and timing differ by employer.
- EMT
- Advanced EMT
- Paramedic
- Field Training Officer
- EMS Supervisor / Captain
- Operations Manager / Battalion Chief (EMS)
- EMS Chief / Director
Source: GovJobs Wiki (editorial).
Pay
SourcedMedian annual wage by employer type, national, May 2025. Federal includes the U.S. Postal Service; state and local include public schools and hospitals.
| Employer type | Workers | 10th pct. | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | 820 | $50,410 | $54,270 | $64,100 | $77,690 | $87,550 |
| Local | 42,640 | $43,060 | $49,160 | $61,740 | $76,570 | $98,500 |
| All government | 43,460 | $43,110 | $49,230 | $61,780 | $76,610 | $97,780 |
| Private sector | 57,150 | $45,140 | $49,870 | $60,120 | $70,720 | $81,510 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Schedule
SourcedShare of surveyed workers in the occupation (O*NET work context, August 2026). Shift patterns and differentials depend on the employer.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Day-to-day work
Sourced- Perform emergency cardiac care, such as cardioversion and manual defibrillation.4.7
- Perform emergency invasive intervention before delivering patient to an acute care facility.4.7
- Coordinate work with other emergency medical team members or police or fire department personnel.4.6
- Assess nature and extent of illness or injury to establish and prioritize medical procedures.4.5
- Administer first aid treatment or life support care to sick or injured persons in prehospital settings.4.5
- Comfort and reassure patients.4.5
- Operate equipment, such as electrocardiograms (EKGs), external defibrillators, or bag valve mask resuscitators, in advanced life support environments.4.5
- Perform emergency pharmacological interventions.4.4
- Administer drugs, orally or by injection, or perform intravenous procedures.4.4
- Attend training classes to maintain certification licensure, keep abreast of new developments in the field, or maintain existing knowledge.4.3
The 10 most important of 13 core tasks for Paramedics, ranked by importance (1–5) in the O*NET survey of August 2026.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Related jobs
DerivedExams and free practice tests
Sourced| Exam | Administered by | Used in | Type | Official page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Registry Paramedic Certification Examination Single certification exam (since July 1, 2024, replacing the separate cognitive and ALS psychomotor exams) given at Pearson testing centers; includes a Clinical Judgment domain (34-38%) and technology-enhanced items set in EMS scenarios. | National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) | US | certification | Official page |
Each exam is checked against its administrator's official page. Employers choose which exam they use; confirm with the hiring agency.
Source: Exam administrators and hiring authorities (per record), Official exam administrator pages. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Free practice tests
NREMT Paramedic Certification ExaminationPractice for a named exam · free on Open Exam Prep
Source: Open Exam Prep, Open Exam Prep free practice tests. Data captured October 1, 2026. Each link was opened and its exam title checked on the date shown.
By state
SourcedMedian annual wage for Paramedics (SOC 29-2043) in each state, all employers (BLS state estimates do not separate government from private). Highest first.
| State | Workers | 10th pct. | Median | 90th pct. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 2,110 | $61,010 | $104,310 | $133,040 |
| New Jersey | 540 | $76,260 | $86,630 | $99,420 |
| Hawaii | 140 | $66,250 | $81,280 | $81,440 |
| District of Columbia | 90 | $62,980 | $78,550 | $96,640 |
| Connecticut | 1,000 | $60,370 | $77,480 | $90,060 |
| Minnesota | 1,690 | $60,320 | $76,300 | $93,910 |
| Oregon | 1,210 | $51,850 | $74,840 | $95,900 |
| California | 5,190 | $53,370 | $74,590 | $102,450 |
| New York | 6,110 | $55,900 | $73,200 | $98,050 |
| Alaska | 310 | $53,820 | $71,860 | $103,550 |
| Maryland | 1,910 | $51,020 | $66,660 | $101,860 |
| Massachusetts | 1,860 | $60,410 | $66,340 | $84,540 |
| Utah | 960 | $45,820 | $65,420 | $94,620 |
| Delaware | 340 | $50,550 | $64,240 | $102,140 |
| New Hampshire | 420 | $53,180 | $64,210 | $79,370 |
| Wyoming | 230 | $47,520 | $64,040 | $80,070 |
| Colorado | 2,110 | $49,110 | $63,910 | $87,320 |
| Rhode Island | 160 | $50,960 | $63,550 | $81,490 |
| Maine | 470 | $54,810 | $63,050 | $78,340 |
| North Dakota | 220 | $48,270 | $62,320 | $75,440 |
| Pennsylvania | 4,750 | $48,040 | $61,000 | $81,590 |
| Illinois | 3,890 | $47,210 | $60,660 | $106,810 |
| Iowa | 1,170 | $47,750 | $60,590 | $78,140 |
| Virginia | 1,960 | $42,520 | $60,480 | $77,280 |
| Idaho | 440 | $48,940 | $60,380 | $83,510 |
| Vermont | 190 | $47,140 | $60,360 | $76,150 |
| Indiana | 2,680 | $46,040 | $60,320 | $76,030 |
| Florida | 6,970 | $44,050 | $60,140 | $85,390 |
| Wisconsin | 1,990 | $46,530 | $59,710 | $75,760 |
| Nevada | 950 | $49,320 | $59,280 | $83,580 |
| Missouri | 3,300 | $45,480 | $59,180 | $81,300 |
| Arizona | 2,200 | $46,180 | $58,600 | $76,540 |
| Tennessee | 3,710 | $41,410 | $57,690 | $80,190 |
| Georgia | 3,250 | $40,600 | $57,660 | $82,980 |
| Texas | 8,410 | $41,030 | $57,500 | $77,700 |
| North Carolina | 5,660 | $44,730 | $57,320 | $75,170 |
| Nebraska | 490 | $45,240 | $56,230 | $76,710 |
| Louisiana | 2,040 | $37,530 | $56,050 | $63,470 |
| New Mexico | 810 | $39,830 | $55,530 | $78,010 |
| Mississippi | 1,150 | $39,690 | $54,630 | $71,710 |
| South Carolina | 2,250 | $40,710 | $53,550 | $67,180 |
| Michigan | 2,750 | $43,400 | $52,080 | $66,070 |
| Ohio | 3,600 | $38,750 | $51,300 | $72,140 |
| Kansas | 1,030 | $40,780 | $51,020 | $64,090 |
| Montana | 300 | $35,590 | $50,890 | $70,190 |
| Arkansas | 1,170 | $38,840 | $50,310 | $72,880 |
| Kentucky | 1,800 | $40,050 | $49,890 | $66,820 |
| South Dakota | 280 | $30,950 | $48,830 | $58,380 |
| Alabama | 1,700 | $36,160 | $48,540 | $62,230 |
| West Virginia | 1,090 | $35,930 | $48,460 | $62,800 |
| Oklahoma | 1,590 | $37,180 | $46,790 | $61,310 |
51 states with published estimates.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Not yet collected
These dimensions are part of every job page. We publish them only once they are sourced from official documents such as job postings, pay plans, union contracts and state standards.
- 05 ProbationNot yet collectedProbation length and what ends it
- 09 Benefits and pensionNot yet collectedPension plan and formula, retirement age and years, DROP, retiree health, Social Security coverage, 457(b) and PSLF eligibility
- 10 Union contractsNot yet collectedBargaining unit, union and the current contract, with its source and effective dates
- 11 Transfers and lateral entryNot yet collectedLateral entry policy, certification reciprocity, lateral bonuses and moves between agencies
- 15 Employer directoryNot yet collectedEvery public employer that hires this job, with its own pay and rules