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Paramedic Salary in the United States

How much does a Paramedic make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Paramedic in the United States is $48,140 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $23.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $57,857
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $43,400 to $53,226
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $39,084
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Paramedic Salaries

A 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.

How Experience Level Affects Paramedic Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a 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:

  • Emergency Medical Technician (1-3 years): $40,028
  • Paramedic (3-5 years): $48,140
  • EMT/Paramedic Supervisor (5+ years): $65,487
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Emergency Medical Technician1-3 years$40,028
Paramedic3-5 years$48,140
EMT/Paramedic Supervisor5+ years$65,487
View as Graph

How Do 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 Paramedics. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $53,301.
  • California: $53,098.
  • Massachusetts: $52,391.

Top Paying Cities for 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: $60,719
  • San Francisco: $60,054
  • Oakland: $58,789

What Skills Can Increase a 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%
See More Skills

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 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 $54,398
13%
Troubleshooting $51,510
7%
Personnel Management $51,028
6%
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Paramedic Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Paramedic salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $52,641. While startup companies pay approximate $44,714.

Paramedic Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $44,714
Growth Stage 51~500 $47,244
Established 501~5000 $50,878
Enterprise 5000+ $52,641

Paramedic Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For 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, Paramedic positions in Biotechnology or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Paramedic as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Paramedic

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$57,768$28.020%
Business Services$52,954$25.010%

How Education impacts a Paramedic's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Paramedic enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Paramedic with a Bachelor's Degree is between $48,395 and $51,290.

Paramedic Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for 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%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a 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 September 01, 2026
$43,400
Average $48,140/year
$53,226
$3,617
Average $4,012/month
$4,436
$835
Average $926/week
$1,024
$21
Average $23/hour
$26
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $53,226 $4,436 $1,024 $26
Average $48,140 $4,012 $926 $23
25th Percentile $43,400 $3,617 $835 $21

Paramedic Salary Growth & Career Path

Paramedic

Next Role

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a 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 Captain $85,432 77%
EMT/Paramedic Supervisor $65,487 36%
Police Sergeant $83,564 74%

Most common benefits for Paramedic

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

Common company salaries for Paramedic

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

Find Your Next Paramedic Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Paramedic job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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FAQ about Paramedic

1. Where can a Paramedic earn the most?

A Paramedic's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Paramedic earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Paramedic is $60,719.

2. What is the highest pay for Paramedic?

The highest pay for Paramedic is $57,857.

3. What is the lowest pay for Paramedic?

The lowest pay for Paramedic is $39,084.

4. What are the responsibilities of Paramedic?

Provides emergency advanced life support care to patients who are ill and/or injured. Conducts patient assessment to determine the extent of an illness or injury and to establish and prioritize medical procedures to follow. Performs life support procedures or administers oxygen. Dispenses antiseptic solution to prevent infection, starts and administers intravenous fluids. Performs other emergency medical procedures needed to stabilize patient during transport. Provides an update on patient's condition and status of treatments when transferring to other medical personnel. May require registry in NREMT. Typically requires an associate degree in an accredited paramedic program. Requires Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). Requires Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) - Basic. Typically reports to a manager. Works independently within established procedures associated with the specific job function. Has gained proficiency in multiple competencies relevant to the job. Typically requires 3-5 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Paramedic?

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

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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