A paramedic career is one that comes with averyBenefits Paramedics are in high demand across the country (which means job security), they can find work anywhere in the country, and they go to bed every night knowing they helped save lives. What could not be loved?
But good feelings don't pay the rent. Luckily, a career like EMT also comes with a competitive salary, especially given the relatively short time it takes to get certified.
EMT Salary
How much do paramedics charge?
In accordance withDepartment of Labor Statistics, the average salary* for an EMT is $37,760 per year (or $16.50 per hour). However, this number can vary greatly depending on location and industry. For example, medical offices pay an average of $41,990 nationwide, while emergency medical services pay an average annual salary* of $34,750.
The state in which you work also plays an important role in determining your salary. For example:
- Washington
- Average hourly wage: $32.50
- Average annual salary: $67,600
- District of Colombia
- Average hourly wage: $27.53
- Average annual salary: $57,270
- Hawaii
- Average hourly wage: $26.14
- Average annual salary: $54,370
- Maryland
- Average hourly wage: $23.79
- Average annual salary: $49,490
- Alaska
- Average hourly wage: $22.97
- Average annual salary: $47,780
- Average hourly wage: $22.97
Where are paramedics paid the most?
We've already seen howConditionmay determine your salary* as a medic, but your city can play an equally important role...if not more!
To dig deeper and find the most accurate numbers, we considered several factors, namely the cost of living. For example, a salary* of $35,000 in Birmingham, Alabama, averyplus a salary of $35,000* in New York City. For this list, we've adjusted each city's average wages based on each city's cost of livingCost of living index. The average COLI for the cities on our list is 158. So if a city's COLI is 102, that means 36%.Less expensivethan the national average.
The 25 highest paying cities for EMTs
Using the system described above, here are the 25 highest paying cities for EMTs in the United States, plus their adjusted average salaries.
#1 – Seattle, Washington
See Also
25 Highest Paying Cities for Paramedics in 2023 | Unitek EMTsAverage EMT Salary - SalaryInfoGuide.comHow much are paramedics paid in Seattle WA?
- Paramedics in Seattle earn an average salary of80.470 $
- For some people in the 90th percentile, wages can be enough102.900 US-Dollar – 103.900 US-Dollar
- Cost of Living Index (COLI):199
- The cost of living in Seattle is26% more expensivethan the average of all cities in our study
- Median income adjusted for your cost of living reduces an EMT's salary to63.856 $
#2 – Sacramento, California
How much are paramedics paid in Sacramento, CA?
- Paramedics in Sacramento earn an average salary of55.190 $
- For some people in the 90th percentile, wages can be enough$ 68.000 - $ 69.000
- Cost of Living Index (COLI):184
- The cost of living in Sacramento is17% more expensivethan the average of all cities in our study
- Median income adjusted for your cost of living reduces an EMT's salary to47.366 $
Nr. 3 – Menfis, Tennessee
How much are paramedics paid in Memphis, TN?
- Paramedics in Memphis earn an average salary of39.250 $
- For some people in the 90th percentile, wages can be enough$ 60.000 - $ 61.000
- Cost of Living Index (COLI):131
- The cost of living in Memphis is17% Less expensivethan the average of all cities in our study
- Median income adjusted for your cost of living reduces an EMT's salary to47.314 $
Nr. 4 – Baltimore, Maryland
How much are paramedics paid in Baltimore, MD?
- Paramedics in Baltimore earn an average salary of47.650 $
- For some people in the 90th percentile, wages can be enough73.300 $ - 74.300 $.
- Cost of Living Index (COLI):160
- The cost of living in Baltimore is1% more expensivethan the average of all cities in our study
- Median income adjusted for your cost of living reduces an EMT's salary to47.029 $
Nr. 5 – Hartford, Connecticut
How much are paramedics paid in Hartford, CT?
- Paramedics in Hartford earn an average salary of47.690 $
- For some people in the 90th percentile, wages can be enough$ 62.000 - $ 63.000
- Cost of Living Index (COLI):164
- The cost of living in Hartford is4% more expensivethan the average of all cities in our study
- Median income adjusted for your cost of living reduces an EMT's salary to45.920 $
Nr. 6 – Tucson, Arizona
How much are paramedics paid in Tucson, AZ?
- Paramedics in Tucson earn an average salary of$ 39.100
- For some people in the 90th percentile, wages can be enough50.300 US-Dollar – 51.300 US-Dollar
- Cost of Living Index (COLI):135
- The cost of living in Tucson is15% Less expensivethan the average of all cities in our study
- Median income adjusted for your cost of living reduces an EMT's salary to45.737 $
#7 – New Orleans, Louisiana
How much are paramedics paid in New Orleans, LA?
- Paramedics in New Orleans earn an average salary of44.280 $
- For some people in the 90th percentile, wages can be enough59.750 US-Dollar – 60.750 US-Dollar
- Cost of Living Index (COLI):159
- The cost of living in New Orleans is1% more expensivethan the average of all cities in our study
- Median income adjusted for your cost of living reduces an EMT's salary to$43.978
Nr. 8 – Austin, Texas
How much are paramedics paid in Austin, TX?
- Paramedics in Austin earn an average salary of$43.220
- For some people in the 90th percentile, wages can be enough73.600 US-Dollar – 74.600 US-Dollar
- Cost of Living Index (COLI):157
- The cost of living in Austin is1% Less expensivethan the average of all cities in our study
- Median income adjusted for your cost of living reduces an EMT's salary to43.472 $
#9 – Albuquerque, New Mexico
How much are paramedics paid in Albuquerque, NM?
- Paramedics in Albuquerque earn an average salary of35.450 $
- For some people in the 90th percentile, wages can be enough53.700 US-Dollar – 54.700 US-Dollar
- Cost of Living Index (COLI):131
- The cost of living in Albuquerque is17% Less expensivethan the average of all cities in our study
- Median income adjusted for your cost of living reduces an EMT's salary to42.733 $
Nr. 10 – Wichita, Kansas
How much are paramedics paid in Wichita, KS?
- Paramedics in Wichita earn an average salary of34.550 $
- For some people in the 90th percentile, wages can be enough49.500 US-Dollar – 50.500 US-Dollar
- Cost of Living Index (COLI):133
- The cost of living in Wichita issixteen% Less expensivethan the average of all cities in our study
- Median income adjusted for your cost of living reduces an EMT's salary to$ 41.010
#11 – Greensboro, North Carolina
How much do paramedics get paid in Greensboro North Carolina?
- Paramedics in Greensboro earn an average salary of32.940 $
- For some people in the 90th percentile, wages can be enough45.900 US-Dollar – 46.900 US-Dollar
- Cost of Living Index (COLI):127
- The cost of living in Greensboro is20% Less expensivethan the average of all cities in our study
- Median income adjusted for your cost of living reduces an EMT's salary to40.958 $
#12 – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
How much do paramedics get paid in Oklahoma City, OK?
- Paramedics in Oklahoma City earn an average salary of35.740 $
- For some people in the 90th percentile, wages can be enough61.700 US-Dollar – 62.700 US-Dollar
- Cost of Living Index (COLI):138
- The cost of living in Oklahoma City is13% Less expensivethan the average of all cities in our study
- Median income adjusted for your cost of living reduces an EMT's salary to40.897 $
Nr. 13 – Honolulu, Hawaii
How much are paramedics paid in Honolulu, HI?
- Paramedics in Honolulu earn an average salary of53.460 $
- For some people in the 90th percentile, wages can be enough75.400 US-Dollar – 76.400 US-Dollar
- Cost of Living Index (COLI):212
- The cost of living in Honolulu is34% more expensivethan the average of all cities in our study
- Median income adjusted for your cost of living reduces an EMT's salary to39.821 $
Nr. 14 – San Antonio, Texas
How much are paramedics paid in San Antonio, TX?
- Paramedics in San Antonio earn an average salary of34.840 $
- For some people in the 90th percentile, wages can be enough47.700 US-Dollar – 48.700 US-Dollar
- Cost of Living Index (COLI):139
- The cost of living in San Antonio is12% Less expensivethan the average of all cities in our study
- Median income adjusted for your cost of living reduces an EMT's salary to39.581 $
#15 – Columbia, South Carolina
How much are paramedics paid in Columbia, SC?
- Paramedics in Colombia earn an average salary of34.280 $
- For some people in the 90th percentile, wages can be enough$ 50.000 - $ 51.000
- Cost of Living Index (COLI):137
- The cost of living in Colombia is13% Less expensivethan the average of all cities in our study
- Median income adjusted for your cost of living reduces an EMT's salary to39.513 $
No. 16 – Detroit, Michigan
How much are paramedics paid in Detroit MI?
- Paramedics in Detroit earn an average salary of34.030 $
- For some people in the 90th percentile, wages can be enough48.300 US-Dollar – 49.300 US-Dollar
- Cost of Living Index (COLI):137
- The cost of living in Detroit is13% Less expensivethan the average of all cities in our study
- Median income adjusted for your cost of living reduces an EMT's salary to39.225 $
#17 – Eugene, Oregon
How much are paramedics paid in Eugene, OR?
- Paramedics in Eugene earn an average salary of42.730 $
- For some people in the 90th percentile, wages can be enough$ 68.000 - $ 69.000
- Cost of Living Index (COLI):174
- The cost of living in Eugene is10% more expensivethan the average of all cities in our study
- Median income adjusted for your cost of living reduces an EMT's salary to38.780 $
Nr. 18 - Indianapolis, Indiana
How much are paramedics paid in Indianapolis, IN?
- Paramedics in Indianapolis earn an average salary of$ 34.110
- For some people in the 90th percentile, wages can be enough$ 50.000 - $ 51.000
- Cost of Living Index (COLI):139
- The cost of living in Indianapolis is12% Less expensivethan the average of all cities in our study
- Median income adjusted for your cost of living reduces an EMT's salary to38.751 $
Nr. 19 - Richmond, Virginia
How much are paramedics paid in Richmond VA?
- Paramedics in Richmond earn an average salary of35.990 $
- For some people in the 90th percentile, wages can be enoughUS$ 48.000 – US$ 49.000
- Cost of Living Index (COLI):147
- The cost of living in Richmond is7% Less expensivethan the average of all cities in our study
- Median income adjusted for your cost of living reduces an EMT's salary to38.662 $
Nr. 20 - Cleveland, Ohio
How much are paramedics paid in Cleveland, OH?
- Paramedics in Cleveland earn an average salary of37.410 $
- For some people in the 90th percentile, wages can be enough56.900 US-Dollar – 57.900 US-Dollar
- Cost of Living Index (COLI):153
- The cost of living in Cleveland is3% Less expensivethan the average of all cities in our study
- Median income adjusted for your cost of living reduces an EMT's salary to38.611 $
No. 21 - Birmingham, Alabama
How much are paramedics paid in Birmingham AL?
- Paramedics in Birmingham earn an average salary of31.420 $
- For some people in the 90th percentile, wages can be enough38.700 US-Dollar – 39.700 US-Dollar
- Cost of Living Index (COLI):131
- The cost of living in Birmingham is17% Less expensivethan the average of all cities in our study
- Median income adjusted for your cost of living reduces an EMT's salary to37.785 $
Nr. 22 – Kansas City, Missouri
How much are paramedics paid in Kansas City, MO?
- Paramedics in Kansas City earn an average salary of34.180 $
- For some people in the 90th percentile, wages can be enough57.500 US-Dollar – 58.500 US-Dollar
- Cost of Living Index (COLI):145
- The cost of living in Kansas City is8% Less expensivethan the average of all cities in our study
- Median income adjusted for your cost of living reduces an EMT's salary to37.224 $
Nr. 23 – Nashville, Tennessee
How much are paramedics paid in Nashville, TN?
- Paramedics in Nashville earn an average salary of38.490 $
- For some people in the 90th percentile, wages can be enough58.200 US-Dollar – 59.200 US-Dollar
- Cost of Living Index (COLI):164
- The cost of living in Nashville is4% more expensivethan the average of all cities in our study
- Median income adjusted for your cost of living reduces an EMT's salary to37.062 $
#24 – Dallas, Texas
How much are paramedics paid in Dallas, TX?
- Paramedics in Dallas earn an average salary of38.010 $
- For some people in the 90th percentile, wages can be enough54.000 – 55.000 US-Dollar
- Cost of Living Index (COLI):162
- The cost of living in Dallas is3% more expensivethan the average of all cities in our study
- Median income adjusted for your cost of living reduces an EMT's salary to37.051 $
#25 – Jacksonville, Florida
How much are paramedics paid in Jacksonville FL?
- Paramedics in Jacksonville earn an average salary of32.860 $
- For some people in the 90th percentile, wages can be enough45.500 US-Dollar – 46.500 US-Dollar
- Cost of Living Index (COLI):141
- The cost of living in Jacksonville is11% Less expensivethan the average of all cities in our study
- Median income adjusted for your cost of living reduces an EMT's salary to36.802 $
Are you still looking? Check out these city paramedic tips
A competitive salary* is very attractive, but money isn't everything. Choosing a home base is all about location, location, location, and some cities make up for this with lower wages* with amazing perks and resident benefits. To help you narrow your search, we've put together an extensive set of highlights covering 35 US cities: their top attractions, size, perks, and the average salary* an EMT can expect there.
The 35 Best Employers as an EMT and why