As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Critical Care Paramedic in the United States is $48,200 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $23.
However, a Critical Care Paramedic's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2025 Compensation Trend
Recruit with AI
Smart Recruiting
A Critical Care Paramedic's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Critical Care Paramedic's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Critical Care Paramedic | $46,657 |
| Intermediate Level Critical Care Paramedic | $47,007 |
| Senior Level Critical Care Paramedic | $48,581 |
| Specialist Level Critical Care Paramedic | $50,103 |
| Expert Level Critical Care Paramedic | $50,484 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Critical Care Paramedics. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 3.03% |
| CPR | 5.47% |
| Advanced Cardiac Life Support | 3.61% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Interpersonal Relationships
|
$54,466 |
13%
|
|
Troubleshooting
|
$51,574 |
7%
|
|
Personnel Management
|
$51,092 |
6%
|
|
Problem Solving
|
$51,092 |
6%
|
|
Active Learning
|
$49,646 |
3%
|
|
Critical Care
|
$49,646 |
3%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Critical Care Paramedics enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Critical Care Paramedic with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $47,021 and $49,800).
Critical Care Paramedic Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.2% |
| High School | 42.2% |
| Associates | 36.9% |
| Bachelors | 17.1% |
| Masters | 2.9% |
| Doctorate | 0.7% |
Understanding how a Critical Care Paramedic's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
Last Updated on January 01, 2026Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Critical Care Paramedic, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.
| Next Step Role | Estimate Salary | Projected Raise |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Battalion Chief | $85,400 | 77% |
| Emergency Response Team Supervisor | $65,500 | 36% |
| Police or Sheriff's Patrol Sergeant | $83,600 | 73% |
Salaries for a Critical Care Paramedic can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $46,402 in 2023 to around $46,535 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Critical Care Paramedic salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $46,402 |
| 2024 | $46,781 |
| 2025 | $46,535 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.
Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Critical Care Paramedic and their salaries, click below for more details.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Critical Care Paramedic job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
Yes, critical care paramedics can intubate, as it has been a core skill in the UK for over 20 years. However, recent evidence indicates that tracheal intubation may not be the best airway management method and could negatively impact patient outcomes. The salary for critical care paramedics ranges from $45,800 to $56,800, with a median of $50,800.
One reason paramedics, including Critical Care Paramedics, may not be paid as well as other healthcare professionals is the level of education and training required. Although they undergo rigorous training, it often involves less formal education compared to other roles. Salaries for Critical Care Paramedics range from $45,800 to $56,800, reflecting this disparity.
The top level paramedic is the Critical Care Paramedic, also known as EMT-P. They can perform all the duties of lower-level EMTs while utilizing advanced life-saving techniques. Salary data for Critical Care Paramedics shows a minimum salary of $45,800, a mid-range salary of $50,800, and a maximum salary of $56,800.
A critical care paramedic is a specialized professional who provides advanced care to patients during transport between healthcare facilities. They perform essential procedures like CPR and EKG tests, and administer medications based on patient needs. The salary for this role typically ranges from $45,800 to $56,800, with a mid-range salary of $50,800.
Paramedics generally earn less than registered nurses. For instance, Critical Care Paramedics have a salary range from $45,800 to $56,800 annually, with a mid-salary of $50,800. In contrast, registered nurses typically earn around $33,000 more per year, especially those in management positions requiring a four-year BSN degree.
Hawaii offers the highest average salary for paramedics at approximately $56,800, followed closely by Washington with an average of $56,140. In comparison, Critical Care Paramedics have a salary range from $45,800 to $56,800, with a mid-salary of $50,800, highlighting the competitive pay in this specialized field.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
