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Medical Paramedic Salary in the United States

How much does a Medical Paramedic make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Medical Paramedic in the United States is $48,190 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $23.

However, a Medical Paramedic's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $57,933
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $43,390 to $53,290
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $39,020

Key Factors That Influence Medical Paramedic Salaries

A Medical Paramedic's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do Medical Paramedic Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Medical Paramedics. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $53,290.
  • California: $53,090.
  • Massachusetts: $52,390.

Top Paying Cities for Medical Paramedics

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $60,790
  • San Francisco: $60,090
  • Oakland: $58,790

What Skills Can Increase a Medical Paramedic's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Critical Thinking (Mentioned in 3.03% Job Postings): Questioning, analyzing and evaluating various alternatives and situations to draw a rational conclusion independently.
  • CPR (Mentioned in 5.47% Job Postings): Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) combines rescue breathing (mouth-to-mouth) and chest compressions to temporarily pump enough blood to the brain until specialized treatment is available.
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (Mentioned in 3.61% Job Postings): It is used to provide urgent treatment to cardiac emergencies such as cardiac arrest, stroke, myocardial infarction, and other conditions.
Skills Demand Percentage
Critical Thinking 3.03%
CPR 5.47%
Advanced Cardiac Life Support 3.61%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Medical Paramedic's salary.

  • Interpersonal Relationships: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Troubleshooting: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Personnel Management: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Interpersonal Relationships $54,455
13%
Troubleshooting $51,563
7%
Personnel Management $51,081
6%

Medical Paramedic Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Medical Paramedic salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $52,646. While startup companies pay approximate $44,756.

Medical Paramedic Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $44,756
Growth Stage 51~500 $47,280
Established 501~5000 $50,880
Enterprise 5000+ $52,646

Medical Paramedic Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Medical Paramedic roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Medical Paramedic positions in Biotechnology or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Medical Paramedic as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Medical Paramedic

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$57,828$28.020%
Business Services$53,009$25.010%

How Education impacts a Medical Paramedic's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Medical 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 Medical Paramedic with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $47,011 and $49,790).

Medical Paramedic Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Medical Paramedic
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%

Medical Paramedic Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Medical 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 October 01, 2026
$43,390
Average $48,190/year
$53,290
$3,616
Average $4,016/month
$4,441
$834
Average $927/week
$1,025
$21
Average $23/hour
$26
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $53,290 $4,441 $1,025 $26
Average $48,190 $4,016 $927 $23
25th Percentile $43,390 $3,616 $834 $21

Medical Paramedic Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Medical 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.

Medical Paramedic Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Fire Battalion Chief $85,500 77%
Emergency Response Team Supervisor $65,500 36%
Police or Sheriff's Patrol Sergeant $83,600 73%

Most common benefits for Medical Paramedic

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Medical Paramedic

Here are companies hiring for Medical Paramedic and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Medical Paramedic

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Medical Paramedic?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Medical Paramedic roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. Can you make 6 figures as a paramedic?

While some paramedics may earn higher salaries depending on their location, the salary data indicates that the minimum salary for a medical paramedic is $45,790, with a mid-range salary of $50,790 and a maximum of $56,790. Therefore, it is unlikely for paramedics to reach six figures in salary based on this data.

3. How do I become a high paid paramedic?

To become a high-paid paramedic, start by obtaining your EMT certification and pursue ongoing education and advanced certifications. Specializing in areas like critical care or flight paramedicine can also boost your salary. In this field, salaries range from $45,790 to $56,790, with the median around $50,790, so enhancing your qualifications can lead to higher earnings.

4. Do you need a degree to be a paramedic?

To become a paramedic, a two-year degree program is optional but beneficial. These programs cover essential topics such as trauma management and emergency pharmacology. While EMT certification doesn't require a degree, some states mandate a two-year college degree for paramedic licensing. Salaries for paramedics range from $45,790 to $56,790, with a mid-salary of $50,790.

5. How much is a paramedic paid in the USA?

In the USA, the salary for a Medical Paramedic ranges from a minimum of $45,790 to a maximum of $56,790, with a mid-range salary of $50,790. This reflects the competitive compensation for paramedics in the healthcare field, aligning with the national average for similar roles.

6. Who gets paid more EMT or paramedic?

As a paramedic, you'll earn more than an EMT, which can influence your career decision. Based on recent salary data, paramedics have a salary range from $45,790 to $56,790, with a mid-salary of $50,790. In contrast, EMTs typically earn less, making the paramedic role a more lucrative option.

7. Can paramedics make 100k a year?

Paramedics typically earn between $45,790 and $56,790 annually, with a mid-salary of $50,790. While some experienced paramedics may approach higher salaries, reaching $100,000 a year is uncommon and usually requires extensive experience, specialized roles, or additional responsibilities.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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.

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