How Much Does a Paramedic Make an Hour?

Paramedics often transport accident victims in ambulances.

Paramedics handle medical emergencies at scenes of accidents and trauma by stabilizing patients until they are seen by a doctor or are transported to a hospital. A formal training program, at three levels of progression, is required. In addition, all states require that paramedics be licensed, though actual certification titles can vary by state. Licenses must be renewed every two or three years and require refresher training courses.

Basics

As of May 2009, Paramedics make a median hourly wage of $14.42, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The highest 10 percent make $24.74, while the lowest 10 percent make $9.31. The lowest and highest 25 percent make $11.37 and $18.87 respectively.

Industries

Industries can determine pay, with the top five payers being mining support, paying $26.63; waste treatment and disposal, paying $24.81; state government, paying $23.83; iron and steel mills, paying $20.93; and medical and diagnostic labs, paying $20.20.

States

Jobs can vary by state. The ones with the best pay for paramedics are Hawaii, with wages of $22.78; Alaska, with wages of $22.42; Oregon, with wages of $20.78; Washington, with wages of $20.11; and Maryland, with wages of $19.79.

Metro Areas

The metro regions of employment can also decide pay. The highest-paying ones are Tacoma, Washington, which offers a rate of $34.40; Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, which offers a rate of $32.46; Olympia, Washington, which offers a rate of $25.52; Portsmouth, New Hampshire, which offers a rate of $23.99; and Racine, Wisconsin, which offers a rate of $23.92.

Employment Levels

Areas with the best job opportunities for paramedics do not offer the best income. For example, two industries can have the greatest employment prospects and yet not rank in the top five for earnings. These industries are ambulatory health care services, with wages of $14.48, and local government, with wages of $17.68. The same holds true for states, since the ones with the highest concentration of professionals are Missouri, where pay runs $15.69, and West Virginia, where pay runs $11.47. Finally, the two urban areas with the largest concentration of workers are Johnstown, Pennsylvania, with salaries at $10.32, and Ocean City, New Jersey, with salaries at $15.03. Neither of them are high payers.

References

• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Paramedics Description
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Paramedics Wages