EMTs and Paramedics

Summary

What EMTs and Paramedics Do About this section

EMTs and paramedics assess a patient’s condition and administer emergency medical care.

Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics assess injuries and illnesses, provide emergency medical care, and may transport patients to medical facilities.

Duties

EMTs and paramedics typically do the following:

• Respond to calls for medical assistance, such as at the scene of a car accident in which someone is injured
• Assess people’s condition and determine what treatment, if any, is needed
• Provide treatment, such as first aid or life support care, to sick or injured patients
• Prepare patients for and safely transport them to the emergency department of a hospital or other healthcare facility
• Document and report observations and any treatment provided, to physicians, nurses, or other healthcare staff
• Inventory and replace medical supplies and clean equipment after use

When transporting a patient in an ambulance, one EMT or paramedic may drive the ambulance while another monitors the patient’s vital signs and provides emergency medical care. Some paramedics work as part of a helicopter’s or an airplane’s flight crew to transport critically ill or injured patients to a hospital.

In addition to transporting patients from the scene of an emergency, EMTs and paramedics transfer patients from one medical facility to another. Some patients may need to be transferred to a hospital that specializes in treating their particular injury or illness or to a facility that provides long-term care, such as a nursing home.

EMTs and paramedics must decontaminate the interior of an ambulance after treating a patient who has a contagious disease. They also may need to report the case to the proper authorities.

The specific responsibilities of EMTs and paramedics depend on their level of certification and the state in which they work. EMTs and paramedics sometimes begin with emergency medical responder (EMR) certification and advance to other levels of certification as they gain competency. The following are some of the duties at each of these EMT or paramedic certification levels.

An EMT, also known as an EMT-Basic, cares for patients at the scene of an incident and while taking patients by ambulance to a hospital. An EMT has the skills to assess a patient’s condition and to manage emergencies such as those related to respiratory, cardiac, or trauma incidents.

An Advanced EMT, also known as an EMT-Intermediate, has completed both requirements for the EMT-Basic level and instruction that allows them to perform more advanced medical procedures, such as administering intravenous fluids and some medications.

Paramedics provide more extensive prehospital care than do EMTs. In addition to doing the tasks of EMTs, they are able to administer a wider range of medications, such as through intravenous methods. Paramedics also perform advanced airflow management and interpret electrocardiograms (EKGs)—which monitor heart function—and other types of equipment.

EMTs and paramedics typically interact with other public safety and support personnel. For example, a 911 operator sends EMTs and paramedics to the scene of an emergency, where they often work with police and firefighters.

Work Environment About this section

EMTs and paramedics care for sick or injured patients in a prehospital setting.

Emergency medical technicians held about 169,700 jobs in 2023. The largest employers of emergency medical technicians were as follows:

Paramedics held about 100,600 jobs in 2023. The largest employers of paramedics were as follows:

These employment data exclude volunteer EMTs and paramedics, who share many of the same duties as paid EMTs and paramedics.

EMTs and paramedics work both indoors and outdoors, in all types of weather. Their work is physically strenuous, and they spend much of their time standing or moving. Their work also may be stressful, especially when it involves life-or-death situations. Some paramedics must fly on helicopters or airplanes as part of an air ambulance flight crew.

Injuries and Illnesses

EMTs and paramedics have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. EMTs and paramedics spend considerable time kneeling, bending, and lifting while caring for and moving patients. They may be exposed to serious diseases and viruses, such as HIV. EMTs and paramedics may reduce the risk of injury and illness by following proper safety procedures, such as waiting for police to clear an area in violent situations or wearing a mask and gloves while working with a patient.

Work Schedules

Most EMTs and paramedics work full time. Some work more than 40 hours per week. Because EMTs and paramedics must be available to work in emergencies, their schedules may vary to include nights, weekends, and holidays. Some EMTs and paramedics work extended shifts, such as ones lasting 12, 18, or 24 hours.

How to Become an EMT or Paramedic About this section

EMTs and paramedics need to be physically fit as their job requires bending, lifting, and kneeling.

Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics typically complete a postsecondary educational program. All states require EMTs and paramedics to be licensed in the state in which they work; requirements vary by state.

Education

High school students interested in becoming EMTs or paramedics should take courses in life sciences and consider becoming certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Some high schools offer EMT training through vocational or technical education programs.

EMTs typically need to complete a postsecondary education program to enter the occupation. Program applicants usually need a high school diploma or equivalent and certification in CPR and basic life support (BLS). However, program entry requirements vary by state.

Most EMT programs lead to a nondegree award. They vary in length but typically take less than 1 year for EMT-Basic certification and up to 2 years for EMT-Intermediate certification. Programs are offered by technical institutes, community colleges, universities, and facilities that specialize in emergency care training. Some instruction may take place in a hospital or ambulance setting.

EMT-Basic programs cover topics such as assessing patients’ conditions, handling emergencies, and using field equipment. Programs that do not require BLS and CPR certification prior to admission include instruction that leads to those certifications as part of the program. EMT-Intermediate programs require additional instruction for advanced skills, such as using complex airway devices, intravenous fluids, and some medications.

Paramedic postsecondary programs require applicants to have EMT-Intermediate certification. Most programs at community colleges typically lead to a nondegree award or an associate’s degree. Some programs are offered by 4-year universities and lead to a bachelor’s degree. Paramedic programs include courses such as anatomy and physiology, EKG interpretation, and maintaining airflow. They typically include supervised field experience.

The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs offers a list of accredited programs for paramedics.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) certifies EMTs and paramedics at the national level. All levels of NREMT certification—including EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate, and paramedics—require completing an approved education program and passing the written national exam. EMT-Intermediates and paramedics have a higher level of skill and must complete an additional hands-on component to complete their certifications.

All states require EMTs and paramedics to be licensed; requirements vary by state. Most states require candidates to have NREMT certification, but others require passage of an equivalent state exam. States also may have other requirements for licensing, such as a minimum age and passing a background check.

Employers typically require job candidates to have a driver’s license and may prefer that they have ambulance driver certification.

Other Work Experience

Paramedics typically need work experience as an EMT prior to entering a paramedic education program.

Working as a volunteer EMT or paramedic may be helpful in getting experience for employment in these occupations.

Advancement

With additional education, paramedics may transfer into other healthcare occupations. For example, paramedic-to-RN programs offer an accelerated pathway to becoming a registered nurse.

Important Qualities

Communication skills. EMTs and paramedics must listen to patients describe their injuries and illnesses and to dispatchers and others conveying information. They also need to provide clear instruction and explain procedures.

Compassion. EMTs and paramedics must be able to provide care and emotional support to patients who may be in life-threatening situations or under extreme mental distress.

Interpersonal skills. EMTs and paramedics must be able to coordinate activities with other members of their team. They also interact with a variety of people when responding to calls for assistance.

Physical strength. EMTs and paramedics must be comfortable bending, lifting, and kneeling over the course of their shift.

Problem-solving skills. EMTs and paramedics must evaluate patients’ symptoms and determine the appropriate treatment.

Pay About this section

The median annual wage for emergency medical technicians was $38,930 in May 2023. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $29,910, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $59,390.

The median annual wage for paramedics was $53,180 in May 2023. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $38,520, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $79,430.

In May 2023, the median annual wages for emergency medical technicians in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

In May 2023, the median annual wages for paramedics in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Most EMTs and paramedics work full time. Some work more than 40 hours per week. Because EMTs and paramedics must be available to work in emergencies, their schedules may vary to include nights, weekends, and holidays. Some EMTs and paramedics work extended shifts, such as ones lasting 12, 18, or 24 hours. 

Job Outlook About this section

Overall employment of EMTs and paramedics is projected to grow 6 percent from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations.

About 19,200 openings for EMTs and paramedics are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment

Emergencies, such as car crashes, natural disasters, drug abuse incidents, and acts of violence, will continue to require the skills of EMTs and paramedics.

Growth in the middle-aged and older population will lead to an increase in age-related health emergencies, such as falls, heart attacks, and strokes. This increase, in turn, will support demand for EMT and paramedic services.

State & Area Data About this section

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)

The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OEWS data maps for employment and wages by state and area.

• Emergency medical technicians
• Paramedics

Projections Central

Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.org. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved.

CareerOneStop

CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.

Contacts for More Information About this section

For more information about emergency medical technicians and paramedics, visit

National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians

National Association of State EMS Officials

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Emergency Medical Services

National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians

For information about educational programs, visit

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs

O*NET

Emergency Medical Technicians

Paramedics