What qualifications do you need to become a paramedic or EMT? Salaries and training
EMTs are in high demand. What qualifications are needed and which states offer the highest salaries? We took a look.
In 2021, the United States was home to 260,600 Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and Paramedics who respond to emergencies and other disasters in communities across the country. Paramedics receive more training, which translates to an average salary of $64,000, around $20,000 higher than EMTs.
Which states offer the highest salaries?
When the salaries of both professions are averaged together, the following states offer the highest hourly wage:
- Hawaii: $27.22/hour or $56,610/year
- Washington: $26.99/hour or $56,140/year
- Maryland: $24.40/hour or $50,750/year
- Alaska: $24.35/hour or $50,640/year.
Some of the lowest salaries offered are seen in Montana, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Ohio and cover a range between $20,000 and $34,000 a year.
What education is needed to become an EMT?
In addition to a high school diploma or its equivalent, a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification may be required to access postsecondary programs that train EMTs. The length of these programs varies, but most can be completed in or or two years.
There are various levels to these programs. All EMTs will undergo training to assess the condition of their patients, address cardiac emergencies and other traumas, clear airways of obstructions, and how to properly use field equipment. The courses typically include 150 hours of instruction which consists of classroom and experiential learning.
To obtain a more advanced EMT degree, over 400 hours of instruction are required. This more expansive course will also include training in the use of medical devices, IVs, and certain medications commonly used in emergency medicine.
What about paramedics?
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Paramedics, on the other hand, may need to show proof that they have an associate’s degree. For those interested in enrolling in one of these degrees, the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs provides an up-to-date list of all accredited institutions by state.
In most cases, paramedic training programs require an applicants to be EMT certified. A typical program includes 1,200 hours of instruction, and according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics covers a “broader scope of practice may include stitching wounds or administering intravenous medications.”