Emergency Medical Technician Training and Jobs
Schools and Degrees
A high school diploma is required to enter into a formal emergency medical technician training curriculum. This training is provided at three levels- basic, intermediate and paramedic. Those who successfully clear the basic level of training have to appear for a written and practical examination conducted by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians or any State certifying agency. The requirements of the intermediate level vary from state to state. At a nationally specified level, about 350 hours of training is required. The third level course is generally conducted in technical schools or community colleges. Upon completion of the course, candidate’s are awarded an associate’s degree.
Training and Education
Workers are generally expected to have a postsecondary vocational award. About 14% of employees hold a bachelor's degree or better. Currently 68% of emergency medical technicians have some college education, though not a degree. About 18% of workers were able to get their jobs with a high-school diploma.
Job Overview
Emergency medical technicians extend fundamental assistance when people are injured or ill. They not only transport the sick and the injured to a medical facility, but also care for the patient along the way.
Job Requirements
Every state asks for certification from an EMT at any level. In most states, registration with the NREMY is necessary for all levels. Some states have their own program of certification and provide the candidates with an option of either taking the test conducted by the NREMT or by the state.
Emergency medical technicians need to be emotionally strong as they often deal with wounded patients. They also need to be agile and skillful and be able to lift heavy weight. Excellent physical coordination and good eyesight are necessary. EMTs should not be color blind.
Nature of Work
Emergency medical technicians extend required emergency care to the patients and transport them to the nearest medical facility. Some treat patients with small injuries, while others look after those with serious injuries. They work according to the directions provided by the doctors. While transporting a patient to the medical facility, they check the patient’s physical condition and provide the required medication and care required.
Emergency medical technicians may need to work indoors and outdoors in any kind of weather. They work for anywhere between 45 to 60 hours a week. At times, they are on call and work for extended hours. They may need to lift heavy equipment and may even have to carry patients. Their work is not only physically stressful but also mentally taxing.
Area Job Conditions
Employees are relatively common in Ocean City (New Jersey), Johnstown (Pennsylvania), and Anderson (South Carolina). They are rarer in Topeka (Kansas), Salem (Oregon), and Tacoma (Washington).
Emergency medical technicians are paid highest in Tacoma (Washington), Olympia (Washington), and Bremerton (Washington), and lowest in Cedar Rapids (Iowa), Jackson (Mississippi), and Anderson (Indiana).
Part-Time and Self Employment
About 11% of emergency medical technicians work less than full-time.
Career Videos
Emergency Medical Technicians by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)
In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.
Alabama
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | $38,000 | 960 | +43% |
| Decatur | $26,000 | 100 | +55% |
| Dothan | $30,000 | 290 | +309% |
| Florence | $23,000 | 160 | +156% |
| Gadsden | $24,000 | 130 | +224% |
| Mobile | $29,000 | 270 | +17% |
| Montgomery | $33,000 | 60 | -72% |
| Tuscaloosa | $26,000 | 310 | +172% |
Alaska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | $52,000 | 50 | -77% |
Arizona
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff | $35,000 | 140 | +105% |
| Kingman | $31,000 | 250 | +345% |
| Phoenix | $30,000 | 2,050 | -15% |
| Prescott | $28,000 | 270 | +315% |
| Tucson | $42,000 | 330 | -29% |
| Yuma | $37,000 | 50 | -25% |
Arkansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville | $31,000 | 210 | -22% |
| Fort Smith | $29,000 | 150 | -5% |
| Jonesboro | $31,000 | 140 | +152% |
| Little Rock | $28,000 | 400 | -14% |
California
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield | $46,000 | 190 | -45% |
| Chico | $26,000 | 90 | +5% |
| Los Angeles | $31,000 | 3,200 | -43% |
| Madera | $46,000 | 70 | +92% |
| Modesto | $43,000 | 740 | +265% |
| Oakland | $40,000 | 1,190 | -13% |
| Riverside | $36,000 | 1,950 | +18% |
| Salinas | $41,000 | 230 | +10% |
| San Diego | $33,000 | 930 | -48% |
| San Francisco | $51,000 | 570 | -58% |
| San Jose | $44,000 | 660 | -46% |
| Santa Ana | $29,000 | 1,320 | -34% |
| Santa Rosa | $34,000 | 600 | +162% |
| Stockton | $42,000 | 390 | +40% |
| Visalia | $28,000 | 140 | -20% |
Colorado
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder | $36,000 | 100 | -50% |
| Denver | $38,000 | 1,450 | -15% |
| Fort Collins | $43,000 | 120 | -26% |
| Grand Junction | $41,000 | 60 | -13% |
| Greeley | 150 | +67% | |
| Pueblo | $43,000 | 70 | +2% |
Connecticut
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport | $42,000 | 300 | -48% |
| Danbury | $40,000 | 170 | +102% |
| Hartford | $37,000 | 880 | +12% |
| New Haven | $39,000 | 500 | +37% |
| Norwich | $33,000 | 280 | +77% |
| Waterbury | $30,000 | 180 | +116% |
Delaware
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dover | $38,000 | 170 | +175% |
| Wilmington | $42,000 | 560 | +28% |
District of Columbia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $50,000 | 3,000 | -10% |
Florida
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deltona | $31,000 | 350 | +75% |
| Fort Lauderdale | $32,000 | 1,240 | +30% |
| Jacksonville | $30,000 | 430 | -48% |
| Miami | $27,000 | 980 | -27% |
| Naples | 190 | +33% | |
| Ocala | $24,000 | 130 | +18% |
| Orlando | $35,000 | 910 | -35% |
| Palm Bay | $33,000 | 290 | +11% |
| Pensacola | $31,000 | 360 | +85% |
| Sarasota | $35,000 | 230 | -30% |
| Tallahassee | $29,000 | 160 | -24% |
| Tampa | $30,000 | 1,420 | -10% |
| West Palm Beach | $37,000 | 300 | -57% |
Georgia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $34,000 | 180 | +139% |
| Atlanta | $33,000 | 3,660 | +15% |
| Augusta | $31,000 | 740 | +172% |
| Columbus | $38,000 | 220 | +55% |
| Dalton | $32,000 | 170 | +103% |
| Savannah | $29,000 | 320 | +64% |
Hawaii
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | $48,000 | 500 | -16% |
Idaho
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise | $47,000 | 390 | +11% |
| Idaho Falls | $32,000 | 110 | +98% |
Illinois
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $44,000 | 6,500 | +25% |
| Kankakee | $38,000 | 60 | +25% |
| Rockford | $32,000 | 170 | -7% |
Indiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson | $25,000 | 70 | +58% |
| Bloomington | $29,000 | 170 | +97% |
| Elkhart | $30,000 | 190 | +37% |
| Evansville | $31,000 | 260 | +15% |
| Fort Wayne | $27,000 | 440 | +63% |
| Gary | $28,000 | 740 | +105% |
| Indianapolis | $31,000 | 1,730 | +41% |
| Kokomo | $29,000 | 60 | +33% |
| Lafayette | $31,000 | 140 | +49% |
| Michigan City | $29,000 | 90 | +87% |
| Muncie | 90 | +67% | |
| South Bend | $31,000 | 220 | +32% |
Iowa
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ames | $30,000 | 60 | +39% |
| Cedar Rapids | $26,000 | 160 | -12% |
| Davenport | $33,000 | 260 | +5% |
| Des Moines | $41,000 | 330 | -26% |
| Dubuque | $24,000 | 70 | +9% |
| Iowa City | $34,000 | 140 | +60% |
| Sioux City | $32,000 | 90 | 0% |
| Waterloo | $31,000 | 110 | +2% |
Kansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wichita | $35,000 | 280 | -28% |
Kentucky
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green | $28,000 | 110 | +63% |
| Lexington | $29,000 | 360 | +12% |
| Louisville | $32,000 | 1,280 | +54% |
| Owensboro | $32,000 | 80 | +42% |
Louisiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria | $37,000 | 150 | +90% |
| Baton Rouge | $39,000 | 310 | -39% |
| Houma | $32,000 | 110 | -9% |
| Lake Charles | $33,000 | 220 | +98% |
| New Orleans | $32,000 | 930 | +29% |
| Shreveport | $29,000 | 250 | +6% |
Maine
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lewiston | $27,000 | 50 | -17% |
| Portland | $34,000 | 380 | +43% |
Maryland
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | $42,000 | 2,530 | +40% |
| Cumberland | $23,000 | 40 | -6% |
| Hagerstown | $32,000 | 240 | +95% |
| Salisbury | $37,000 | 120 | +86% |
Massachusetts
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town | $45,000 | 110 | -13% |
| Boston | $36,000 | 2,840 | +19% |
| Brockton | $36,000 | 330 | +190% |
| Haverhill | $41,000 | 130 | +26% |
| New Bedford | $40,000 | 130 | +63% |
| Springfield | $37,000 | 430 | +7% |
| Worcester | $38,000 | 650 | +93% |
Michigan
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor | $31,000 | 470 | +114% |
| Battle Creek | $36,000 | 120 | +93% |
| Detroit | $32,000 | 1,300 | +42% |
| Flint | $26,000 | 310 | +84% |
| Grand Rapids | $31,000 | 400 | -22% |
| Kalamazoo | $32,000 | 110 | -38% |
| Lansing | $30,000 | 280 | +6% |
| Muskegon | $29,000 | 120 | +77% |
| Niles | $33,000 | 230 | +227% |
| Warren | $32,000 | 1,660 | +12% |
Minnesota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth | $27,000 | 230 | +37% |
| Minneapolis | $39,000 | 1,390 | -43% |
| Rochester | $34,000 | 290 | +122% |
| St Cloud | $30,000 | 50 | -59% |
Mississippi
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson | $32,000 | 440 | +30% |
| Pascagoula | $37,000 | 70 | +27% |
Missouri
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joplin | $24,000 | 250 | +153% |
| Kansas City | $32,000 | 2,010 | +44% |
| St Joseph | $35,000 | 160 | +162% |
| St Louis | $37,000 | 3,220 | +75% |
Montana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings | $34,000 | 150 | +42% |
Nebraska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha | $34,000 | 120 | -81% |
Nevada
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas | $36,000 | 820 | -30% |
New Hampshire
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester | $31,000 | 140 | +6% |
| Nashua | $30,000 | 290 | +63% |
| Portsmouth | $51,000 | 60 | -14% |
| Rochester | $39,000 | 80 | +23% |
New Jersey
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City | $36,000 | 340 | +80% |
| Camden | $35,000 | 1,130 | +58% |
| Edison | $36,000 | 2,000 | +42% |
| Newark | $37,000 | 1,900 | +38% |
| Ocean City | $32,000 | 280 | +480% |
| Trenton | $44,000 | 250 | -18% |
| Vineland | 80 | +9% |
New Mexico
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $34,000 | 540 | +3% |
| Las Cruces | $20,000 | 250 | +218% |
| Santa Fe | $38,000 | 60 | -21% |
New York
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $33,000 | 840 | +37% |
| Binghamton | $29,000 | 160 | +11% |
| Ithaca | $36,000 | 70 | +46% |
| Kingston | $40,000 | 110 | +49% |
| Nassau | $38,000 | 1,600 | -8% |
| New York | $40,000 | 7,470 | +4% |
| Poughkeepsie | $32,000 | 700 | +112% |
| Rochester | $35,000 | 1,050 | +52% |
| Syracuse | $29,000 | 530 | +26% |
| Utica | $31,000 | 160 | -1% |
North Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville | $36,000 | 440 | +88% |
| Charlotte | $36,000 | 1,090 | -7% |
| Durham | $33,000 | 400 | +8% |
| Greensboro | $32,000 | 430 | -11% |
| Greenville | $34,000 | 270 | +224% |
| Hickory | $30,000 | 370 | +92% |
| Jacksonville | $32,000 | 130 | +159% |
| Raleigh | $32,000 | 930 | +32% |
| Wilmington | $34,000 | 350 | +97% |
| Winston Salem | $30,000 | 490 | +75% |
North Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck | $31,000 | 90 | +12% |
| Fargo | $36,000 | 110 | -30% |
| Grand Forks | 30 | -48% |
Ohio
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | $28,000 | 460 | +6% |
| Canton | $29,000 | 410 | +87% |
| Cincinnati | $34,000 | 840 | -40% |
| Cleveland | $32,000 | 1,890 | +35% |
| Columbus | $30,000 | 840 | -33% |
| Dayton | $26,000 | 440 | -15% |
| Mansfield | $21,000 | 120 | +93% |
| Springfield | $29,000 | 150 | +162% |
| Steubenville | $25,000 | 130 | +167% |
| Toledo | $29,000 | 540 | +36% |
| Youngstown | $28,000 | 650 | +115% |
Oklahoma
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawton | $22,000 | 80 | +67% |
| Oklahoma City | $30,000 | 660 | -16% |
| Tulsa | $34,000 | 680 | +16% |
Oregon
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eugene | $39,000 | 90 | -51% |
| Medford | $39,000 | 130 | +34% |
| Portland | $49,000 | 1,380 | -2% |
Pennsylvania
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown | $34,000 | 920 | +96% |
| Erie | $23,000 | 270 | +62% |
| Harrisburg | $30,000 | 600 | +39% |
| Johnstown | $22,000 | 500 | +634% |
| Lancaster | $29,000 | 400 | +27% |
| Philadelphia | $38,000 | 3,390 | +29% |
| Pittsburgh | $29,000 | 2,930 | +86% |
| Reading | $30,000 | 290 | +32% |
| Scranton | $28,000 | 660 | +88% |
| State College | $25,000 | 90 | +17% |
| Williamsport | $26,000 | 160 | +158% |
| York | $29,000 | 340 | +46% |
Rhode Island
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | $35,000 | 1,020 | +34% |
South Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson | $28,000 | 400 | +485% |
| Charleston | $33,000 | 590 | +52% |
| Columbia | $34,000 | 660 | +39% |
| Florence | $28,000 | 440 | +344% |
| Greenville | $36,000 | 510 | +26% |
| Myrtle Beach | $31,000 | 40 | -71% |
| Sumter | $27,000 | 70 | +87% |
South Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City | $27,000 | 140 | +79% |
| Sioux Falls | $26,000 | 130 | -28% |
Tennessee
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga | $28,000 | 600 | +97% |
| Clarksville | $26,000 | 240 | +145% |
| Johnson City | $33,000 | 290 | +225% |
| Kingsport | $27,000 | 400 | +155% |
| Knoxville | $30,000 | 1,120 | +149% |
| Memphis | $36,000 | 1,320 | +57% |
| Morristown | $30,000 | 120 | +121% |
| Nashville | $34,000 | 1,560 | +54% |
Texas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene | $23,000 | 100 | +29% |
| Amarillo | $36,000 | 100 | -27% |
| Austin | $34,000 | 1,320 | +22% |
| Brownsville | $26,000 | 100 | -41% |
| Corpus Christi | $27,000 | 280 | +19% |
| Dallas | $33,000 | 1,330 | -54% |
| El Paso | $28,000 | 300 | -18% |
| Fort Worth | $34,000 | 990 | -17% |
| Houston | $37,000 | 3,270 | -10% |
| Killeen | $29,000 | 320 | +92% |
| Laredo | $28,000 | 180 | +83% |
| Longview | $25,000 | 90 | -26% |
| Lubbock | $25,000 | 280 | +72% |
| Mcallen | $27,000 | 830 | +171% |
| Odessa | $30,000 | 70 | +2% |
| San Antonio | $30,000 | 1,160 | -3% |
| Sherman | $29,000 | 50 | +3% |
| Tyler | $37,000 | 440 | +285% |
| Victoria | $38,000 | 50 | -13% |
Utah
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Logan | $28,000 | 110 | +95% |
| Ogden | $31,000 | 220 | -17% |
| Provo | $25,000 | 210 | -6% |
| Salt Lake City | $35,000 | 1,050 | +26% |
| St George | $23,000 | 70 | +29% |
Vermont
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | $29,000 | 80 | -44% |
Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Danville | $27,000 | 100 | +152% |
| Lynchburg | $30,000 | 90 | -29% |
| Richmond | $34,000 | 540 | -36% |
| Virginia Beach | $35,000 | 1,020 | -2% |
Washington
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bremerton | $40,000 | 140 | +34% |
| Seattle | $44,000 | 1,480 | -23% |
| Spokane | $33,000 | 40 | -85% |
| Wenatchee | $27,000 | 60 | +32% |
West Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $25,000 | 300 | +58% |
| Huntington | $24,000 | 270 | +84% |
| Morgantown | $24,000 | 230 | +258% |
| Parkersburg | $26,000 | 130 | +54% |
| Wheeling | $25,000 | 60 | -25% |
Wisconsin
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton | $28,000 | 90 | -39% |
| Eau Claire | $27,000 | 150 | +63% |
| Fond | $24,000 | 60 | +19% |
| Green Bay | $26,000 | 250 | +13% |
| Janesville | $43,000 | 60 | -23% |
| La Crosse | $28,000 | 100 | +12% |
| Madison | $26,000 | 460 | +1% |
| Milwaukee | $36,000 | 650 | -43% |
| Oshkosh | $31,000 | 110 | -1% |
| Wausau | $33,000 | 220 | +169% |
Wyoming
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheyenne | $45,000 | 130 | +160% |