25 Highest Paying Cities for Paramedics in 2023

A paramedic career is one that comes with aquitefrom above. Paramedics are in high demand across the country (which means job security), they can find work almost anywhere in the country, and they go to bed every night knowing they've helped save lives. What could not be loved?

But good feelings don't pay the rent. Fortunately, a career as an 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?

According toDepartment of Labor Statistics, the average salary* for a paramedic is $37,760 per year (or $16.50 per hour). However, this number can vary greatly by location and industry. For example, doctors' offices pay a national average of $41,990, while emergency medical services pay an average annual salary* of $34,750.

The state you work in also plays an important role in determining your salary. For example:

Washington
- Average hourly wage: $32.50
- Average annual salary: $67,600

DC
- 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

Where are paramedics better paid?

we already saw itIllnessmay determine your salary* as an EMT, but your city may play just as important a role...if not more!

To dig deeper and find the most accurate numbers, we considered several factors, namely the cost of living. Example: A salary* of $35,000 in Birmingham, Alabama would be aquiteSalary over $35,000* in New York City. For this list, we adjusted each city's average wages for each city's cost of living using thecost of living index. The average COLI for the cities on our list is 158. So if a city's COLI is 102, that means it's 36%.Less expensivethan the national average.

The 25 Highest Paying Cities for EMTs

Using the system outlined above, here are the 25 highest-paying cities for EMTs in the United States, along with their adjusted median salaries.

#1 – Seattle, Washington

How much do paramedics earn in Seattle, WA?

Paramedics in Seattle earn an average salary of80.470 $
For some people at the 90th percentile, wages may be as high as possible.102.900 $ – 103.900 $
Cost of Living Index (COLI):199
The cost of living in Seattle is26% more expensivethan the average of all cities in our study
Cost-of-living-adjusted median income lowers an EMT's wages63.856 $

#2 – Sacramento, California

How much are paramedics paid in Sacramento, CA?

Paramedics in Sacramento earn an average salary of55.190 $
For some people at the 90th percentile, wages may be as high as possible.US$ 68.000 – US$ 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
Cost-of-living-adjusted median income lowers an EMT's wages47.366 $

# 3 – Menfis, Tennessee

How much do paramedics earn in Memphis, TN?

Paramedics in Memphis earn an average salary of39.250 $
For some people at the 90th percentile, wages may be as high as possible.$ 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
Cost-of-living-adjusted median income lowers an EMT's wages47.314 $

Nº 4-Baltimore, Maryland

How Much Do Paramedics Get Paid in Baltimore, MD?

Paramedics in Baltimore earn an average salary of47.650 $
For some people at the 90th percentile, wages may be as high as possible.73.300 $ – 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 based on your cost of living reduces wages for an EMT47.029 $

#5 – Hartford, Connecticut

How Much Do Paramedics Get Paid in Hartford, CT?

Paramedics in Hartford earn an average salary of47.690 $
For some people at the 90th percentile, wages may be as high as possible.US$ 62.000 – US$ 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 based on your cost of living reduces wages for an EMT45.920 $

Nº 6 – Tucson, Arizona

How much do paramedics earn in Tucson, AZ?

Paramedics in Tucson earn an average salary of39.100 $
For some people at the 90th percentile, wages may be as high as possible.50.300 $ – 51.300 $
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 based on your cost of living reduces wages for an EMT45.737 $

# 7 – Nova Orleans, Louisiana

How much are paramedics paid in New Orleans LA?

Paramedics in New Orleans earn an average salary of44.280 $
For some people at the 90th percentile, wages may be as high as possible.59.750 $ – 60.750 $
Cost of Living Index (COLI):159
The cost of living in New Orleans is1% more expensivethan the average of all cities in our study
Cost-of-living-adjusted median income lowers an EMT's wages43.978 $

Nº 8 – Austin, Texas

How Much Do Paramedics Get Paid in Austin, TX?

Paramedics in Austin earn an average salary of43.220 $
For some people at the 90th percentile, wages may be as high as possible.73.600 $ – 74.600 $
Cost of Living Index (COLI):157
The cost of living in Austin is1% Less expensivethan the average of all cities in our study
Cost-of-living-adjusted median income lowers an EMT's wages43.472 $

#9 – Albuquerque, New Mexico

How Much Do Paramedics Make in Albuquerque, NM?

Paramedics in Albuquerque earn an average salary of35.450 $
For some people at the 90th percentile, wages may be as high as possible.53.700 $ – 54.700 $
Cost of Living Index (COLI):131
The cost of living in Albuquerque is17% Less expensivethan the average of all cities in our study
Cost-of-living-adjusted median income lowers an EMT's wages42.733 $

Nº 10 – Wichita, Kansas

How much are paramedics paid in Wichita, KS?

Paramedics in Wichita earn an average salary of34.550 $
For some people at the 90th percentile, wages may be as high as possible.US$ 49.500 – US$ 50.500
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 based on your cost of living reduces wages for an EMT41.010 $

#11 – Greensboro, North Carolina

How much do paramedics earn in Greensboro, North Carolina?

Paramedics in Greensboro earn an average salary of32.940 $
For some people at the 90th percentile, wages may be as high as possible.45.900 $ – 46.900 $
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 based on your cost of living reduces wages for an EMT40.958 $

#12 – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

How much do paramedics earn in Oklahoma City?

Paramedics in Oklahoma City earn an average salary of35.740 $
For some people at the 90th percentile, wages may be as high as possible.US$ 61.700 – US$ 62.700
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 based on your cost of living reduces wages for an EMT40.897 $

Nº 13 – Honolulu, Hawaii

How much do paramedics earn in Honolulu, HI?

Paramedics in Honolulu earn an average salary of53.460 $
For some people at the 90th percentile, wages may be as high as possible.75.400 $ – 76.400 $
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 based on your cost of living reduces wages for an EMT39.821 $

Nº 14 – San Antonio, Texas

How Much Do Paramedics Get Paid in San Antonio, TX?

Paramedics in San Antonio earn an average salary of34.840 $
For some people at the 90th percentile, wages may be as high as possible.47.700 $ – 48.700 $
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 based on your cost of living reduces wages for an EMT39.581 $

#15 – Columbia, South Carolina

How Much Do Paramedics Make in Columbia, SC?

Paramedics in Colombia earn an average salary of34.280 $
For some people at the 90th percentile, wages may be as high as possible.US$ 50.000 – US$ 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 based on your cost of living reduces wages for an EMT39.513 $

Nº 16 – Detroit, Michigan

How much are paramedics paid in Detroit MI?

Paramedics in Detroit earn an average salary of34.030 $
For some people at the 90th percentile, wages may be as high as possible.48.300 $ – 49.300 $
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 based on your cost of living reduces wages for an EMT39.225 $

Nº 17 – Eugene, Oregon

How Much Do Paramedics Get Paid in Eugene, OR?

Paramedics in Eugene earn an average salary of42.730 $
For some people at the 90th percentile, wages may be as high as possible.US$ 68.000 – US$ 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 based on your cost of living reduces wages for an EMT38.780 $

#18 - Indianapolis, Indiana

How much are paramedics paid in Indianapolis, IN?

Paramedics in Indianapolis earn an average salary of34.110 $
For some people at the 90th percentile, wages may be as high as possible.US$ 50.000 – US$ 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
Cost-of-living-adjusted median income lowers an EMT's wages38.751 $

No. 19 – Richmond, Virginia

How Much Do Paramedics Make in Richmond, VA?

Paramedics in Richmond earn an average salary of35.990 $
For some people at the 90th percentile, wages may be as high as possible.US$ 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
Cost-of-living-adjusted median income lowers an EMT's wages38.662 $

No. 20 – Cleveland, Ohio

How Much Do Paramedics Get Paid in Cleveland, OH?

Paramedics in Cleveland earn an average salary of37.410 $
For some people at the 90th percentile, wages may be as high as possible.56.900 $ – 57.900 $
Cost of Living Index (COLI):153
The cost of living in Cleveland is3% Less expensivethan the average of all cities in our study
Cost-of-living-adjusted median income lowers an EMT's wages38.611 $

No. 21 - Birmingham, Alabama

How much are paramedics paid in Birmingham AL?

Paramedics in Birmingham earn an average salary of31.420 $
For some people at the 90th percentile, wages may be as high as possible.38.700 $ – 39.700 $
Cost of Living Index (COLI):131
The cost of living in Birmingham is17% Less expensivethan the average of all cities in our study
Cost-of-living-adjusted median income lowers an EMT's wages37.785 $

Nº 22 – Kansas City, Missouri

How much do paramedics earn in Kansas City, MO?

Paramedics in Kansas City earn an average salary of34.180 $
For some people at the 90th percentile, wages may be as high as possible.57.500 $ – 58.500 $
Cost of Living Index (COLI):145
The cost of living in Kansas City is8% Less expensivethan the average of all cities in our study
Cost-of-living-adjusted median income lowers an EMT's wages37.224 $

Nº 23 – Nashville, Tennessee

How Much Do Paramedics Make in Nashville, TN?

Paramedics in Nashville earn an average salary of38.490 $
For some people at the 90th percentile, wages may be as high as possible.58.200 $ – 59.200 $
Cost of Living Index (COLI):164
The cost of living in Nashville is4% more expensivethan the average of all cities in our study
Cost-of-living-adjusted median income lowers an EMT's wages37.062 $

#24 – Dallas, Texas

How Much Do Paramedics Make in Dallas, TX?

Paramedics in Dallas earn an average salary of38.010 $
For some people at the 90th percentile, wages may be as high as possible.US$ 54.000 – US$ 55.000
Cost of Living Index (COLI):162
The cost of living in Dallas is3% more expensivethan the average of all cities in our study
Cost-of-living-adjusted median income lowers an EMT's wages37.051 $

#25 – Jacksonville, Florida

How Much Do Paramedics Make in Jacksonville FL?

Paramedics in Jacksonville earn an average salary of32.860 $
For some people at the 90th percentile, wages may be as high as possible.45.500 $ – 46.500 $
Cost of Living Index (COLI):141
The cost of living in Jacksonville is11% Less expensivethan the average of all cities in our study
Cost-of-living-adjusted median income lowers an EMT's wages36.802 $

Keep looking? Check out these city picks for paramedics

A competitive salary* is very attractive, but money is not everything. Choosing a home base is all about location, location, location, and some cities compensate for lower wages* with incredible perks and resident benefits. To help you narrow your search, we've put together an extensive series of highlights covering 35 US cities: their top attractions, size, perks, and the average salary* an EMT can expect there.

35 Best Places to Work as an EMT and Why

25 Highest Paying Cities for Paramedics in 2023 | Unitek EMTs (2023)