Paramedic Salary in Washington, DC
Paramedics in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $75,190 a year — 24% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $58,285 take-home, or $4,857 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
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- Federal income tax$7,712
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,662
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,090
- District of Columbia income tax$3,441
- Take-home pay$58,285
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 6.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Paramedic pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,570 | $28.16 | $46,880 | $3,907 |
| 25th percentile | $67,770 | $32.58 | $53,548 | $4,462 |
| Median (50th) | $75,190 | $36.15 | $58,285 | $4,857 |
| 75th percentile | $88,060 | $42.34 | $66,264 | $5,522 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,700 | $50.34 | $76,555 | $6,380 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $75,190 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median paramedic's $58,285 take-home pay has the buying power of $53,530 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Paramedic jobs are less concentrated in Washington, DC than nationally (location quotient 0.41), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for paramedics, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #11 of 40 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $123,310 | $95,548 | $85,977 |
| 2 | Memphis, TN | $66,830 | $55,845 | $60,583 |
| 3 | Chicago, IL | $77,670 | $59,771 | $57,697 |
| 4 | Austin, TX | $67,290 | $56,169 | $57,276 |
| 5 | Minneapolis, MN | $77,430 | $59,560 | $56,820 |
| 6 | Salt Lake City, UT | $71,440 | $56,839 | $56,350 |
| 7 | Nashville, TN | $63,450 | $53,162 | $55,183 |
| 8 | New York, NY | $79,550 | $61,095 | $54,276 |
| 11 | Washington, DC | $75,190 | $58,285 | $53,530 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 40 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a paramedic make in Washington, DC?
The median paramedic salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $75,190 a year, or about $36.15 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $67,770 and $88,060.
What is a paramedic’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $75,190 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $58,285 a year ($4,857 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,441 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a paramedic?
Pay here is 24% above the national median of $60,600. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $53,530 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #11 of 40 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a paramedic afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 41% of a median paramedic’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
- Psychiatrist — $239,200+
- Emergency Medicine Physician — $239,200+
- Family Medicine Physician — $225,140
- General Internal Medicine Physician — $223,250
- Nurse Anesthetist — $223,150
- Physicians, All Other — $208,710
- Dentists, General — $184,540
- Pediatricians, General — $172,520
- Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other — $166,230
- Optometrist — $154,690
- Veterinarian — $154,350
- Pharmacist — $150,540