Emergency Medical Technician
Respond to 911 calls, assess and treat patients and transport them safely.
- $44,470
- 1–6 months
Transportation & Logistics career
Ambulance Driver
Also called: Ambulance Attendant · Medical Transport Driver · Wheelchair Van Driver · Non-Emergency Transport Driver
What ambulance drivers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does an ambulance driver do?
Ambulance drivers and attendants, except emergency medical technicians, drive ambulances or assist ambulance drivers in transporting sick, injured or convalescent persons. The median pay is $35,450 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few weeks of training, and employment is projected to grow -1.3% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$35,450$17.04/hour · May 2025
- Job growth-1.3%2025–35, a projected decline
- Openings per year1,400Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to trainA few weeks of trainingTypical program length
- U.S. jobs14,300Employment, 2025
What ambulance drivers do
Ambulance drivers move patients safely. They drive ambulances and wheelchair vans, help move patients on stretchers and wheelchairs, keep vehicles clean and stocked, and support EMTs and paramedics. Much work is non-emergency transport between homes, clinics and hospitals.
A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical; many earn EMT certification to advance. BLS projects slight decline.
Typical duties
- Drive ambulances or vans
- Move patients
- Secure wheelchairs and stretchers
- Clean and stock vehicles
- Assist EMTs
- Complete trip records
- Inspect vehicles
Work environment and schedule
Drivers work in vehicles, hospitals, clinics and homes.
Schedule: Shifts include nights and weekends.
A day in the life
- Inspect the vehicle.
- Stock supplies.
- Transport a dialysis patient.
- Move a patient between hospitals.
See a full day in the life of an ambulance driver →
Ambulance Driver salary
Half of ambulance drivers earned more than $35,450 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $27,350 for the lowest 10% to $45,960 for the top 10%.
Full ambulance driver pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become an ambulance driver
- Finish high school
- Keep a clean driving record
- Get CPR certified
- Complete EVOC
- Advance
A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming an ambulance driver →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Safe driving
- Patient lifting
- Wheelchair securement
- Infection control
- CPR
People skills
- Compassion
- Calm
- Reliability
- Communication
All ambulance driver skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Help patients
- Short training
- Path to EMT
- Steady demand
Cons
- Lifting patients
- Odd hours
- Modest pay
- Stressful moments
Certifications and licenses
- EVOC: Emergency vehicle operator course.
- CPR: Required.
- EMT certification: To advance.
- Clean driving record: Required.
Career path
- Driver: Entry.
- Attendant: Assist.
- EMT: Medical care.
- Paramedic: Advanced care.
Learn the job before day one
Our Ambulance Driver training (8 hours, $74.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as move a patient onto a stretcher safely and clean an ambulance between patients, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Paramedic
Provide advanced emergency medical care on scene and on the way to the hospital.
- $60,600
- 12–24 months
Shuttle Driver
Drive passengers in shuttles, vans and limousines.
- $37,290
- A few days to weeks
Home Health Aide
Help older adults and people with disabilities live safely and comfortably at home.
- $35,800
- 2–6 weeks
Compare: Ambulance Driver vs. EMT · Ambulance Driver vs. Paramedic · Ambulance Driver vs. Shuttle Driver · Ambulance Driver vs. Home Health Aide
Ambulance Driver FAQ
Is an ambulance driver the same as an EMT?
No, EMTs provide medical care; drivers transport.
Do I need a degree?
No.
Can I become an EMT?
Yes, many do.
How much does an ambulance driver make?
The median annual wage for ambulance drivers was $35,450 ($17.04 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $27,350 and the highest 10% earned more than $45,960.
How long does it take to become an ambulance driver?
Most people need about A few weeks of training of training. A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.
Do you need a degree to be an ambulance driver?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
More ambulance driver questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 53-3011 (Ambulance drivers and attendants, except emergency medical technicians).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Ambulance drivers and attendants, except emergency medical technicians (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.