How Much Does an EMT B Make?

An emergency medical technician---basic, or EMT B, works with a paramedic and cares for patients who have been injured or are ill while transporting them by ambulance to a hospital. Salaries typically do not vary greatly between an EMT B and an EMT Intermediate, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics groups the two categories together along with paramedics.

Starting Salary

Median starting salary for an EMT as of 2009 was about $30,000, with an increase to about $35,000 with five years' experience.

General Range

In 2008, about 80 percent of EMTs and paramedics earned between $19,000 and $49,000. Narrowing it further, the middle 50 percent made between $23,000 and $38,000.

Optional Certification

An EMT B certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) makes a higher salary on average.

Employers

The top-paying employers for EMTs are state governments at about $46,000 median per year, and medical or diagnostic laboratories and home health care services at about $41,000.

Location

The highest-paying states for EMTs are Hawaii and Alaska. The highest-paying metropolitan regions are Seattle-Tacoma-Olympia, Washington, and the San Francisco, California, area.