Healthcare career

Paramedic

Also called: EMT-Paramedic · Firefighter-Paramedic · Flight Paramedic · Critical Care Paramedic

What paramedics do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does a paramedic do?

Paramedics respond to 911 calls and give advanced life support, including cardiac monitoring, IV medications and advanced airway care, before and during transport to the hospital. The median pay is $60,600 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 12–24 months, and employment is projected to grow +5.7% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $60,600
    $29.13/hour · May 2025
  • Job growth
    +5.7%
    2025–35, faster than average
  • Openings per year
    4,300
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    Postsecondary nondegree award
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    12–24 months
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    102,200
    Employment, 2025

What paramedics do

Paramedics are the most highly trained level of emergency medical services. Building on EMT skills, they interpret 12-lead ECGs, start IVs, give dozens of medications, manage airways and make fast treatment decisions under medical protocols. They work on ambulances, fire engines, helicopters and in hospitals and event medicine.

Becoming a paramedic usually starts with EMT certification and experience, followed by an accredited paramedic program of roughly 1,200 to 1,800 hours. Graduates pass the National Registry exams and get a state license. The job is demanding and unpredictable, and it gives you the chance to make a real difference in the worst moments of people’s lives.

Typical duties

  • Respond to emergency calls and assess patients on scene
  • Provide advanced airway management
  • Interpret cardiac rhythms and 12-lead ECGs
  • Start IV and IO lines and give medications
  • Treat trauma, cardiac, respiratory and medical emergencies
  • Communicate with hospitals and medical direction
  • Document care in a patient care report

Work environment and schedule

Paramedics work in ambulances, homes, roadways, public places and hospitals, in all weather and at all hours. The job involves lifting patients, kneeling and working in tight spaces, and can be dangerous and emotionally intense.

Schedule: Shifts include 12-hour, 24-hour and 48/96 rotations, with nights, weekends and holidays.

A day in the life

  1. Check the ambulance, cardiac monitor, drugs and airway equipment at the start of a 24-hour shift.
  2. Respond to chest pain, acquire a 12-lead ECG and transmit a STEMI alert to the hospital.
  3. Restock the unit and finish the patient care report.
  4. Treat a diabetic patient with low blood sugar using IV dextrose.

See a full day in the life of a paramedic →

Paramedic salary

Half of paramedics earned more than $60,600 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $44,230 for the lowest 10% to $84,850 for the top 10%.

Full paramedic pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a paramedic

  1. Become an EMT
  2. Gain field experience
  3. Complete an accredited paramedic program
  4. Pass the National Registry exams
  5. Get licensed and specialize

Paramedics usually earn EMT certification first, then complete an accredited paramedic program that combines classroom, lab, hospital clinical and field internship hours. Programs often take 12 to 24 months; some award an associate degree.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a paramedic →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Advanced airway management
  • 12-lead ECG interpretation
  • IV/IO access
  • Emergency pharmacology
  • Trauma care

People skills

  • Decisiveness under pressure
  • Teamwork
  • Compassion
  • Clear communication

All paramedic skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Fast-paced, meaningful work
  • Advanced clinical skills without a long degree
  • Strong team culture
  • Paths into fire service, flight medicine and nursing

Cons

  • Physically and emotionally demanding
  • Nights, weekends and long shifts
  • Risk of injury and exposure
  • Pay varies widely by employer

Certifications and licenses

  • National Registry Paramedic (NRP): The national certification exam used by most states.
  • State paramedic license: Required to practice; issued by the state EMS office.
  • ACLS and PALS: Advanced life support certifications for adults and children.
  • PHTLS or ITLS: Prehospital trauma life support training.

Career path

  1. EMT: Gain field experience providing basic life support.
  2. Paramedic: Provide advanced life support on an ambulance or fire engine.
  3. Critical Care, Flight or Tactical Paramedic: Earn specialty certifications and treat the sickest patients.
  4. EMS Supervisor, Educator or Nurse: Lead crews, teach or bridge into nursing or physician assistant roles.

Learn the job before day one

Our Paramedic training (12 hours, $109.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as acquire and transmit a 12-lead ECG and start an IV line in the field, safety and how to land your first job.

View Paramedic trainingIs this career right for me?

Firefighter

Respond to fires, medical emergencies, rescues and hazmat incidents.

  • $59,280
  • 6–12 months (EMT + academy)

Registered Nurse

Assess patients, give treatments, coordinate care and educate families.

  • $97,550
  • 2–4 years

Respiratory Therapist

Help patients breathe, from asthma treatments to managing ventilators in the ICU.

  • $82,280
  • 2 years

Compare: Paramedic vs. EMT · Paramedic vs. Firefighter · Paramedic vs. RN · Paramedic vs. Respiratory Therapist

Paramedic FAQ

What’s the difference between an EMT and a paramedic?

EMTs provide basic life support. Paramedics complete much longer training and provide advanced care such as IV medications, advanced airways and cardiac monitoring.

How long does paramedic school take?

Usually 12 to 24 months after EMT certification, depending on the program.

Do paramedics need a degree?

Not always. Many programs award a certificate; some award an associate degree, which can help with advancement.

How much does a paramedic make?

The median annual wage for paramedics was $60,600 ($29.13 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $44,230 and the highest 10% earned more than $84,850.

How long does it take to become a paramedic?

Most people need about 12–24 months of training. Paramedics usually earn EMT certification first, then complete an accredited paramedic program that combines classroom, lab, hospital clinical and field internship hours. Programs often take 12 to 24 months; some award an associate degree.

Do you need a degree to be a paramedic?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “postsecondary nondegree award” as the typical entry-level education.

More paramedic questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

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