Hiring guide · Transportation & Logistics
How to Hire an Ambulance Driver
Pay benchmarks, qualifications, sourcing, screening and interview questions for hiring ambulance drivers, plus a plan to get them productive fast.
Write a clear job description, offer competitive pay (the national median is $35,450), recruit through CDL schools and trucking academies, verify EVOC where applicable, run a structured interview with a practical skills check, and onboard with a 30-60-90 day plan.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
The hiring market for ambulance drivers
There are about 14,300 ambulance drivers employed in the U.S., with roughly 1,400 openings each year. Employment is projected to change -1.3% from 2025–35 (a projected decline). Most openings come from replacing workers who retire or change careers, so a steady pipeline matters.
Pay benchmarks for offers
| Candidate level | Annual | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th–25th percentile) | $27,350–$30,750 | $13.15–$14.78 |
| Typical / mid-career (median) | $35,450 | $17.04 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $38,410 | $18.47 |
| Top of market (90th percentile) | $45,960 | $22.10 |
*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours except median. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.
What to look for
Must-haves
- High school diploma or equivalent (typical entry level)
- Safe driving
- Compassion
Nice-to-haves
- EVOC
- CPR
- EMT certification
- Experience with ambulances
Where to find ambulance drivers
- CDL schools and trucking academies
- Local workforce centers and staffing partners
- Military transition programs
- Referral bonuses for current drivers and associates
- Job postings that use common alternate titles: Ambulance Attendant, Medical Transport Driver, Wheelchair Van Driver, Non-Emergency Transport Driver
Screening checklist
- CDL, endorsements and DOT medical card for drivers
- Motor vehicle record and FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse query for CDL drivers
- Forklift operator training and evaluation, which OSHA requires employers to provide
- Pre-employment drug screening according to policy and law
Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.
1. “Do you have a clean driving record?”
What a strong answer includes: Answer.
2. “Can you lift patients?”
What a strong answer includes: Answer.
3. “How do you treat patients?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain.
4. “Can you work shifts?”
What a strong answer includes: Answer.
5. “Do you want to become an EMT?”
What a strong answer includes: Share.
Practical skills checks
A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:
- Move a Patient onto a Stretcher Safely (see the steps)
- Clean an Ambulance Between Patients (see the steps)
- Drive Smoothly with a Patient Onboard (see the steps)
Red flags
- Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
- Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
- Unfamiliar with core terms such as Non-emergency transport, Stretcher, Stair chair
- Negative talk about every past employer or coworker
Onboard for retention
The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Ambulance Driver 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Ambulance Driver training. Show them the path forward: Driver → Attendant → EMT → Paramedic.
Hiring ambulance drivers: FAQ
How much should I pay an ambulance driver?
The U.S. median wage for ambulance drivers is $35,450 per year ($17.04/hour), according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($30,750), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($38,410). Adjust for your local market.
What qualifications should an ambulance driver have?
BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education. Look for EVOC and CPR where relevant, plus skills such as safe driving, patient lifting, and wheelchair securement.
How long does it take to train a new ambulance driver?
Becoming qualified typically takes A few weeks of training. After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “moderate-term on-the-job training.”