As of May 2023, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) there were about 98,800 paramedics at work in the United States.  Paramedics work in varied environments, ranging from ambulance service providers and hospitals to local government agencies. Paramedics generally earn lower average salaries and wages than most other healthcare occupations that require advanced training and skills.  Per BLS estimates, as of May 2023, the annual mean salary for paramedics was $57,450 nationally.  Pay for the profession varies widely from state to state, with paramedics in some states making double annually what their peers earn elsewhere. As of May 2023, based on annual mean wage data from the BLS, the ten best and worst states for paramedic pay were:

The Best and Worst States for Paramedic Pay

Best Paying States
Washington	$94,500
New Jersey	$80,510
Hawaii	$73,770
District of Columbia	$71,710
Connecticut	$70,350
California	$69,870
Minnesota	$68,840
Oregon	$68,660
Alaska	$67,630
Illinois	$67,240

Worst Paying States
North Carolina	$49,950
New Mexico	$49,680
Kansas	$49,550
Mississippi	$48,390
South Dakota	$47,560
Ohio	$47,450
Arkansas	$47,300
Oklahoma	$46,690
West Virginia	$45,280
Alabama	$45,060

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

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on June 1, 2024