How much does a paramedic make?
The median paramedic in the United States earns $60,600 per year, about $29.13 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all paramedics earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 29-2043.
Paramedic salary range
Pay for paramedics spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $44,230 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $84,850. The average (mean) wage of $63,360 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $44,230 | $21.27 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $49,660 | $23.88 | |
| Median (50th) | $60,600 | $29.13 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $73,470 | $35.32 | |
| 90th percentile | $84,850 | $40.80 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for paramedics (SOC 29-2043), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Paramedic salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Paramedics earn the most in Washington at $104,310 a year, and the least in Oklahoma at $46,790. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $104,310 | 2,110 |
| New Jersey | $86,630 | 540 |
| Hawaii | $81,280 | 140 |
| District of Columbia | $78,550 | 90 |
| Connecticut | $77,480 | 1,000 |
| Minnesota | $76,300 | 1,690 |
| Oregon | $74,840 | 1,210 |
| California | $74,590 | 5,190 |
| New York | $73,200 | 6,110 |
| Alaska | $71,860 | 310 |
| Maryland | $66,660 | 1,910 |
| Massachusetts | $66,340 | 1,860 |
| Utah | $65,420 | 960 |
| Delaware | $64,240 | 340 |
| New Hampshire | $64,210 | 420 |
| Wyoming | $64,040 | 230 |
| Colorado | $63,910 | 2,110 |
| Rhode Island | $63,550 | 160 |
| Maine | $63,050 | 470 |
| North Dakota | $62,320 | 220 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,000 | 4,750 |
| Illinois | $60,660 | 3,890 |
| Iowa | $60,590 | 1,170 |
| Virginia | $60,480 | 1,960 |
| Idaho | $60,380 | 440 |
| Vermont | $60,360 | 190 |
| Indiana | $60,320 | 2,680 |
| Florida | $60,140 | 6,970 |
| Wisconsin | $59,710 | 1,990 |
| Nevada | $59,280 | 950 |
| Missouri | $59,180 | 3,300 |
| Arizona | $58,600 | 2,200 |
| Tennessee | $57,690 | 3,710 |
| Georgia | $57,660 | 3,250 |
| Texas | $57,500 | 8,410 |
| North Carolina | $57,320 | 5,660 |
| Nebraska | $56,230 | 490 |
| Louisiana | $56,050 | 2,040 |
| New Mexico | $55,530 | 810 |
| Mississippi | $54,630 | 1,150 |
| South Carolina | $53,550 | 2,250 |
| Michigan | $52,080 | 2,750 |
| Ohio | $51,300 | 3,600 |
| Kansas | $51,020 | 1,030 |
| Montana | $50,890 | 300 |
| Arkansas | $50,310 | 1,170 |
| Kentucky | $49,890 | 1,800 |
| South Dakota | $48,830 | 280 |
| Alabama | $48,540 | 1,700 |
| West Virginia | $48,460 | 1,090 |
| Oklahoma | $46,790 | 1,590 |
State median wages for paramedics (SOC 29-2043), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for paramedics
The BLS projects employment of paramedics to grow 5.7% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 102,200 jobs in 2025 moving toward 108,000 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 4,300 openings a year for paramedics. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a paramedic
The typical entry-level education for paramedics is a postsecondary nondegree award, such as a certificate, according to the BLS. Most roles also expect less than 5 years of work experience in a related occupation.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a paramedic earns
Specialty, work setting, shift differentials, certifications, and region drive the numbers. Hospitals, surgical settings, and high cost metros pay above clinics and rural facilities.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Washington, $104,310) and the lowest (Oklahoma, $46,790) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 100,610 people work as paramedics in the United States. At $60,600 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Paramedic salary FAQ
How much does a paramedic make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a paramedic is $29.13. The middle half of paramedics earn between $23.88 and $35.32 per hour.
What is the highest paramedic salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of paramedics earn more than $84,850 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a paramedic make a year?
The median annual salary for a paramedic is $60,600. The average (mean) wage of $63,360 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a paramedic a well paid job?
At $60,600 a year, a paramedic earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 100,610 people work as paramedics in the United States.
Which state pays paramedics the most?
Washington has the highest median salary for paramedics at $104,310 a year. New Jersey ($86,630) and Hawaii ($81,280) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a paramedic a good career?
Employment of paramedics is projected to grow 5.7% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 4,300 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a paramedic?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for paramedics as a postsecondary nondegree award, such as a certificate, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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