Paramedic Salary
Paramedics earn a median $60,600 a year nationally. Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
U.S. median
$60,600
$29.13 per hour
Range
$44,230 – $84,850
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
100,610
across the U.S.
▲3.7%
Pay trend: The median for paramedics in the U.S. rose from $58,410 (May 2024) to $60,600 (May 2025). That beat inflation (2.4%), a real raise of about 1.3%.
What paramedics do
Administer basic or advanced emergency medical care and assess injuries and illnesses. May administer medication intravenously, use equipment such as EKGs, or administer advanced life support to sick or injured individuals.
- Typical education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Work experience
- Less than 5 years
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +5.7% (faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 4,300
Employment of paramedics is projected to grow 5.7% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 4,300 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Paramedic take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$50,872
per year · effective tax rate 16.1%
$4,239Monthly
$2,120Twice a month
$1,957Every 2 weeks
$24.46Hourly
- Federal income tax$5,092
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,757
- Medicare (1.45%)$879
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$50,872
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,230 | $21.26 | $37,719 |
| 25th percentile | $49,660 | $23.88 | $42,082 |
| Median (50th) | $60,600 | $29.13 | $50,872 |
| 75th percentile | $73,470 | $35.32 | $60,516 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,850 | $40.79 | $68,522 |
Best cities for paramedics (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago, IL | $77,670 | $59,771 | $57,697 | 2,560 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $79,550 | $61,095 | $54,276 | 3,850 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- New York, NY — $79,550
- Chicago, IL — $77,670
Paramedic salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $104,310 | +3.5% | $82,212 | $61,010 – $133,040 | 2,110 |
| New Jersey | $86,630 | +8.2% | $66,446 | $76,260 – $99,420 | 540 |
| Hawaii | $81,280 | — | $61,363 | $66,250 – $81,440 | 140 |
| District of Columbia | $78,550 | −3.0% | $60,382 | $62,980 – $96,640 | 90 |
| Connecticut | $77,480 | +2.8% | $60,651 | $60,370 – $90,060 | 1,000 |
| Minnesota | $76,300 | +12.2% | $58,842 | $60,320 – $93,910 | 1,690 |
| Oregon | $74,840 | +2.0% | $55,761 | $51,850 – $95,900 | 1,210 |
| California | $74,590 | +3.3% | $57,579 | $53,370 – $102,450 | 5,190 |
| New York | $73,200 | +10.2% | $56,970 | $55,900 – $98,050 | 6,110 |
| Alaska | $71,860 | +5.2% | $59,384 | $53,820 – $103,550 | 310 |
| Maryland | $66,660 | −1.5% | $52,923 | $51,020 – $101,860 | 1,910 |
| Massachusetts | $66,340 | +3.6% | $52,387 | $60,410 – $84,540 | 1,860 |
| Utah | $65,420 | +3.1% | $52,767 | $45,820 – $94,620 | 960 |
| Delaware | $64,240 | +3.5% | $50,898 | $50,550 – $102,140 | 340 |
| New Hampshire | $64,210 | +6.1% | $53,773 | $53,180 – $79,370 | 420 |
| Wyoming | $64,040 | +4.0% | $53,636 | $47,520 – $80,070 | 230 |
| Colorado | $63,910 | −1.2% | $51,428 | $49,110 – $87,320 | 2,110 |
| Rhode Island | $63,550 | +0.0% | $51,476 | $50,960 – $81,490 | 160 |
| Maine | $63,050 | +5.4% | $49,766 | $54,810 – $78,340 | 470 |
| North Dakota | $62,320 | +4.0% | $52,254 | $48,270 – $75,440 | 220 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,000 | +5.8% | $49,321 | $48,040 – $81,590 | 4,750 |
| Illinois | $60,660 | +2.6% | $48,062 | $47,210 – $106,810 | 3,890 |
| Iowa | $60,590 | +13.3% | $49,213 | $47,750 – $78,140 | 1,170 |
| Virginia | $60,480 | +3.3% | $48,112 | $42,520 – $77,280 | 1,960 |
| Idaho | $60,380 | −3.6% | $48,603 | $48,940 – $83,510 | 440 |
| Vermont | $60,360 | +13.9% | $49,091 | $47,140 – $76,150 | 190 |
| Indiana | $60,320 | +3.5% | $48,897 | $46,040 – $76,030 | 2,680 |
| Florida | $60,140 | +2.2% | $50,502 | $44,050 – $85,390 | 6,970 |
| Wisconsin | $59,710 | +6.6% | $48,311 | $46,530 – $75,760 | 1,990 |
| Nevada | $59,280 | −1.7% | $49,811 | $49,320 – $83,580 | 950 |
| Missouri | $59,180 | +6.4% | $47,887 | $45,480 – $81,300 | 3,300 |
| Arizona | $58,600 | +15.2% | $48,009 | $46,180 – $76,540 | 2,200 |
| Tennessee | $57,690 | +9.1% | $48,534 | $41,410 – $80,190 | 3,710 |
| Georgia | $57,660 | +11.4% | $46,140 | $40,600 – $82,980 | 3,250 |
| Texas | $57,500 | +6.6% | $48,381 | $41,030 – $77,700 | 8,410 |
| North Carolina | $57,320 | +12.2% | $46,458 | $44,730 – $75,170 | 5,660 |
| Nebraska | $56,230 | +3.8% | $45,682 | $45,240 – $76,710 | 490 |
| Louisiana | $56,050 | +10.3% | $45,921 | $37,530 – $63,470 | 2,040 |
| New Mexico | $55,530 | +10.3% | $45,354 | $39,830 – $78,010 | 810 |
| Mississippi | $54,630 | +6.5% | $44,622 | $39,690 – $71,710 | 1,150 |
| South Carolina | $53,550 | +6.8% | $43,152 | $40,710 – $67,180 | 2,250 |
| Michigan | $52,080 | +3.5% | $42,064 | $43,400 – $66,070 | 2,750 |
| Ohio | $51,300 | +7.0% | $42,771 | $38,750 – $72,140 | 3,600 |
| Kansas | $51,020 | +3.9% | $41,127 | $40,780 – $64,090 | 1,030 |
| Montana | $50,890 | +3.1% | $41,435 | $35,590 – $70,190 | 300 |
| Arkansas | $50,310 | +10.1% | $40,855 | $38,840 – $72,880 | 1,170 |
| Kentucky | $49,890 | +4.7% | $40,638 | $40,050 – $66,820 | 1,800 |
| South Dakota | $48,830 | +1.6% | $41,415 | $30,950 – $58,380 | 280 |
| Alabama | $48,540 | +7.8% | $39,020 | $36,160 – $62,230 | 1,700 |
| West Virginia | $48,460 | +0.6% | $39,665 | $35,930 – $62,800 | 1,090 |
| Oklahoma | $46,790 | −2.3% | $38,216 | $37,180 – $61,310 | 1,590 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician | $44,470 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +5.8% |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician | $62,930 | Bachelor's degree | +2.7% |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse | $64,400 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +3.0% |
| Surgical Technologist | $64,650 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +5.0% |
| Hearing Aid Specialist | $65,160 | High school diploma or equivalent | +19.4% |
| Medical Records Specialist | $51,140 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +7.8% |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $50,290 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +5.9% |
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician | $47,380 | Associate's degree | +9.4% |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $47,260 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.2% |
| Cardiovascular Technologist and Technician | $74,310 | Associate's degree | +3.7% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a paramedic make?
The national median salary for paramedics is $60,600 a year ($29.13 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $44,230 and the top 10% earn over $84,850. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays paramedics the most?
Washington has the highest median pay at $104,310. After taxes and local prices, Chicago, IL offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many paramedics are there in the U.S.?
About 100,610 people work as paramedics nationwide.