EMT and Paramedic Pay in the Far Western U.S.

In its most recent release of occupational statistical data, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that more than 257,000 Americans were working as EMTs (emergency medical technicians) and paramedics as of May 2020. The six-state Far Western U.S. accounted for a bit less than 31,500 of those EMT and paramedic jobs. BLS data revealed the Far West to be the best region in the nation for EMT and paramedic pay, as every state in the region had an annual mean wage level for EMTs and paramedics that exceeded the national average.  Moreover, four states in the region ranked among the top five states in the nation for EMT and paramedic annual mean wages.  A closer examination of May 2020 BLS data shows the following about EMT and paramedic pay in the Far Western U.S.:

EMT and Paramedic Pay in the U.S. Far West

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
AK	600	$50,030	4th
CA	22,690	$48,280	5th
HI	500	$58,580	1st
NV	1,960	$42,040	17th
OR	1,990	$43,580	14th
WA	3,730	$56,910	2nd
U.S.	257,700	$40,370	-------

(*) annual mean wage ranking among the 50 states and the District of Columbia

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on May 10, 2021