Becoming an emergency medical technician (EMT) or paramedic typically takes one to three years, depending on your career goals and educational path. EMT training focuses on life support techniques for first-response situations, including CPR, tourniquet application, and wound treatment. Paramedics perform more advanced procedures than EMTs and therefore require more extensive education and training.
This guide reviews the basic responsibilities of EMTs and paramedics and highlights the educational steps needed to enter the field. The following sections also cover average earning potential and projected job growth for occupations in the field.
Paramedics and EMTs work in a variety of capacities, including providing immediate medical treatment for sick and injured people in emergency situations and transporting patients to medical facilities.
Emergency medical technicians respond to 911 calls and medical emergencies. EMTs transport patients to hospitals, perform basic medical tasks, and act as first responders. As a medical professional, you must work well under pressure to make life-saving decisions in high-stress environments.
EMTs work closely with other medical professionals, including:
Your responsibilities as an EMT depend on your education and training. Some first responders only administer basic care, while EMTs with more training can perform more complex medical procedures in the field and on the way to the hospital.
Source: UCLA Center for Prehospital Care
According to the 2018 Annual Report of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, there are currently more than 400,000 nationally certified emergency medical services personnel in the United States.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), paramedics and EMTs earn a median salary of $36,650 per year. However, paramedics typically have a higher earning potential and more professional opportunities than EMTs. The highest-earning 10% of EMTs and paramedics make more than $62,150 per year.
The following table shows the highest-paying states and areas for paramedics, based on BLS data.
Average Annual Salary: $58,580
Average Annual Salary: $56,910
Average Annual Salary: $53,440
Average Annual Salary: $50,030
Average Annual Salary: $48,280
The map below shows details about earners in the 10th, 50th, and 90th percentiles for each state in 2018.
The BLS projects a 6% job growth for EMTs and paramedics from 2019 to 2029, faster than the national average for all occupations.
The BLS also projects an increase in aging populations that will drive up the demand for responders to age-related health emergencies. Medical services across the nation may require more EMTs and paramedics to respond to the rise in medical incidents.
The following states display the highest projected growth rates for paramedics and EMTs.
Growth Rate: 30.8%
Growth Rate: 22.3%
Growth Rate: 20.1%
Growth Rate: 19.7%
Growth Rate: 14.8%
Growth Rate: 14.2%
Growth Rate: 13.4%
Growth Rate: 11.8%
Growth Rate: 11%
Growth Rate: 10.9%
The map below shows the growth rate, employment growth, and average annual openings for professionals in each state.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Projections Managing Partnership
To become an EMT, you’ll need a high school diploma or GED credential. EMTs must earn CPR certification before enrolling in a postsecondary emergency medical technology program. These programs last 1-2 years and do not confer degrees.
Paramedics must complete additional training, which may require an associate degree in emergency care training.
Both EMTs and paramedics must obtain CPR certification. Organizations such as the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association regularly provide CPR training.
EMTs and paramedics must also complete a postsecondary emergency medical technology program through a community college, technical college, or university. These programs last 1-2 years and teach students how to assess, care for, and transport patients.
Aspiring paramedics then pursue a two-year associate degree in emergency medical services. These programs prepare learners to administer medications, insert IVs, and resuscitate patients.
EMTs and paramedics both need state certification to practice. Some states require a state-specific certification exam. However, most states accept the NREMT exam. To sit for the exam, you must have completed a state-approved training course within the last two years.
The NREMT exam comprises a cognitive test and a psychomotor portion. You’ll have six attempts to pass the cognitive exam and can reapply to take the cognitive exam 15 days after receiving your results. You’ll take the psychomotor exam through a state emergency services office or approved training site.
Paramedics must also pass the National Registered Paramedics exam.
Some EMTs complete additional training. These advanced courses do not qualify EMTs to become paramedics. However, they do prepare EMTs for the Advanced EMT exam from the NREMT.
Advanced training courses require about 150 to 200 hours of fieldwork. Many courses require internship rotations in an emergency room and an emergency services agency.
Community colleges, technical institutes, and universities offer associate degree programs in emergency care training. Associate programs in the field typically cover physiology, advanced life-support techniques, and anatomy. While many states require paramedics to earn a degree, this step is optional for EMTs.
An EMT diploma or certificate is the starting point of education for those who aspire to enter the field. If you wish to build your knowledge and skills further, you can earn an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.
The emergency medical technician certificate program will equip you with the foundational skills needed to provide emergency medical care to patients en route to a hospital.
You’ll learn basic life support procedures to help patients in various emergency situations, including those who are suffering from an illness, have been the victim of violence, or have gotten into an accident. In order to deliver this critical care, students in paramedic schools are taught skills such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and how to open a patient’s airway.
The EMT certificate program typically takes one to two years to complete, and prepares students to pass the licensing examination in their state. Examples of common courses and skills gained are given below.
Provides an overview of basic life support techniques in an emergency care setting.
Skills and Knowledge Gained:
Familiarizes students with how to work in the EMT care environment.
Skills and Knowledge Gained:
Teaches aspiring EMTs how to assess the condition of a patient and make treatment decisions.
Skills and Knowledge Gained:
Introduces students to the procedures for opening and managing a patient’s airway.
Skills and Knowledge Gained:
After earning an EMT certification, many students enroll in a paramedic associate degree program to advance their careers. Paramedics have more patient care responsibilities than EMTs, so the training received at this level is more comprehensive and advanced than a certificate.
Building on students’ previous experience, this degree provides instruction on advanced emergency care techniques, including cardiac care, patient stabilization, and airway treatments. To help students deepen their understanding of emergency medical care, associate degree programs commonly offer the following courses:
Covers the steps involved with treating trauma patients.
Skills and Knowledge Gained:
Provides an understanding of how to treat patients requiring special or extra care.
Skills and Knowledge Gained:
Explains the use of medications during emergency care.
Skills and Knowledge Gained:
Describes the treatment of cardiac emergencies.
Skills and Knowledge Gained:
Paramedics who wish to advance their careers may elect to enroll in a four-year bachelor’s degree program. Bachelor’s degree graduates often procure jobs as healthcare administrators, paramedic training managers, or clinical supervisors. Some students use this degree as a springboard to go even further in their education, enrolling in physician assistant programs or medical school. Students can expect to gain a number of valuable skills throughout their degree, including:
Students who aspire to supervisory roles in an emergency care setting learn how to manage the work of paramedics as they navigate their way through chaotic situations.
Students build on existing knowledge of emergency care, gaining a deeper understanding of how to effectively work in an emergency environment through planning and executing patient care strategies.
Taking a managerial role in the field includes completing administrative tasks. Students learn various managerial functions, including budgeting, staffing, completing employee evaluations, and organizational planning.
Online paramedic schools are a convenient option for students who want to receive EMT training that can easily fit into their schedules. These programs allow students to combine online classes with in-person training, providing both theoretical and hands-on education. This is an attractive choice for many, but to get the most out of your education, you must find a school matched to your unique needs. Some characteristics to look for when choosing a school include:
Paramedics work with patients in high-pressure environments where their actions could mean the difference between life and death. They need specialized training from reputable institutions to ensure they get the best education and preparation to obtain their license. The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) should accredit any school under consideration. This organization guarantees that online paramedic programs provide students with an education that adequately prepares them for the demands of the field.
Students need to be trained on the latest techniques, and part of that includes being knowledgeable about equipment used by paramedics. When looking for a school, students should inquire about the varied types of equipment used during training and confirm that it is in good working order.
The EMT field is extremely demanding, so students should look for schools that have faculty members with significant experience. Finding out how long teachers have worked as paramedics and whether or not they are still practicing can go a long way toward determining if a department offers qualified faculty.
Earning a degree, completing required training, and taking the certification exam requires about 2-3 years.
Most candidates need six months to two years to complete the training courses and pass the NREMT exam.
EMTs and paramedics can explore careers as police officers and firefighters. Hospitals also hire EMTs as emergency-room technicians.
According to the BLS, EMTs and paramedics earn a median annual salary of $36,650. Wages range from $24,650 to $62,150 and depend on the industry you work in and your location. Whether or not the pay is satisfactory for you will be a personal decision after doing a cost/benefit analysis and will depend on the cost of living in your location.
EMTs and paramedics have one of the highest rates of on-the-job injury and illness of all occupations, according to the BLS. Following proper safety procedures can reduce this risk.
To become an EMT quickly, candidates should complete CPR certification, take a six-month training course, and sit for the NREMT exam immediately after completing training.
While requirements to become an EMT vary by state, you typically must:
This is a fast-paced career that demands workers have strong critical thinking skills to make snap decisions about how to treat patients. EMTs and paramedics must be excellent communicators: good listening helps them understand what each patient needs, while strong verbal skills allow them to communicate effectively with patients and other healthcare professionals.
Like other medical providers, paramedics and EMTs must show compassion when working with people in physical and emotional distress. Physical strength, stamina, and coordination are imperative for moving patients quickly and treating them with precision.
In addition to receiving a state license and NREMT certification, EMTs and paramedics who want to drive emergency vehicles must take a separate training course. Though this is not an exhaustive list, the following certifications are available to EMTs and paramedics:
Paramedics and EMTs need several tools and technologies in order to treat patients. Some of the technologies they use include medical software like MedDataSolutions Regist*r, and information retrieval software—such as TechOnSoftware HazMatCE Pro, Epocrates software, and HyperTox.
In addition, some of the tools of this trade include airway suction units, portable oxygen equipment, cardboard splints, oxygen masks, laryngoscopes, and intravenous IV pressure infusers.
EMTs and paramedics can often work in other first-response environments, such as police and fire departments. EMTs and paramedics can also pursue healthcare positions, including roles as nurses, dental hygienists, and emergency management directors.
Each position requires additional training and education. Salary potential and job outlook vary by occupation.
| Career | Outlook | Salary | Education and Training |
|---|---|---|---|
| Firefighter | 5.3% | $52,500 | High school diploma or the equivalent, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)-Basic certification |
| Police Officer | 5% | $67,920 | High school education or GED, police academy training |
| Corrections Officer | -7.2% | $47,400 | High school diploma or equivalent, American Correctional Association training |
| Registered Nurse | 12.1% | $75,330 | Bachelor's degree, supervised clinical training |
| Physician Assistant | 31.1% | $115,390 | Master’s degree, supervised clinical training |
| Dental Hygienist | 10.8% | $77,090 | Associate degree, clinical training |
| Nurse Anesthetist | 17.1% | $117,670 | Master’s degree, clinical training |
| Occupational Therapist | 17.9% | $86,280 | Master’s degree, clinical training |
| Emergency Management Directors | 5.1% | $76,250 | Bachelor's degree and work experience in emergency response |
EMTs and paramedics dedicate their careers to helping individuals in distress. The table below highlights careers that involve working to keep communities safe.
The NREMT is the national certifying organization for EMTs and paramedics. This nonprofit organization oversees and administers the EMT and paramedic exams.
NAEMT is a professional organization for emergency medical responders, including EMTs and paramedics. This organization provides continuing education, advocacy, and online resources.
This organization works with states to improve emergency medical systems. NASEMSO collaborates with EMTs and paramedics to create safer, more effective working environments.
The Office of EMS partners with the Department of Transportation and other federal agencies to strengthen emergency response systems across the nation.
CAAHEP is an accrediting agency for health science professions and programs. This organization sets and monitors training standards for EMT and paramedic courses.
With many programs available to aspiring EMTs and paramedics, prospective students should research their options carefully before choosing a school. This search tool can help you find schools based on specific criteria, such as state and degree level.
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