There were approximately 260,000 emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics working in the U.S. as of May 2019 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). EMTs and paramedics work in varied settings, including for ambulatory healthcare service providers, hospitals, physician offices, and outpatient care centers. Unlike many other trained healthcare professionals, EMTs and paramedics earn lower salaries and wages than workers in most other occupations. Per BLS estimates, as of May 2019, the national mean wage for EMTs and paramedics was $38,830 annually, in comparison to the $53,490 annual mean wage for all occupations in the U.S. Pay for the profession varies widely from state-to-state, with EMTs and paramedics in some states making 30% or more annually than their counterparts elsewhere. As of May 2019, according to BLS data the ten states with the best annual mean salary and wages for EMTs and paramedics were:
| Hawaii | $56,610 |
| Washington | $56,140 |
| Maryland | $50,750 |
| Alaska | $50,640 |
| Connecticut | $46,510 |
| New York | $44,920 |
| Massachusetts | $44,140 |
| California | $43,680 |
| Minnesota | $43,620 |
| Illinois | $43,310 |
At the other end of the table, here were the bottom ten states for emergency medical technician and paramedic pay:
| Pennsylvania | $34,310 |
| Ohio | $34,020 |
| Michigan | $33,760 |
| South Dakota | $32,620 |
| Mississippi | $32,480 |
| Montana | $32,050 |
| Kentucky | $31,250 |
| Kansas | $30,890 |
| Alabama | $30,240 |
| West Virginia | $29,920 |
So where does your state rank for EMT and paramedic pay?
Check out EMT and Paramedic Average Wages by State for more information.
