EMT Salaries

EMT salaries depend on many factors.  Factors such as training, education and work setting have some impact on salaries for EMTs.  The primary factors that determine EMT salaries, however, are location and experience.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics,  the median EMT salary was $27,070 in May 2006.  The middle 50 percent of EMTs earned between $21,290 and $35,210.  The good news is that the highest 10 percent of EMTs earned more than $45,280.  In general, your EMT salary range for less than 1 year of experience will be $10 to $13.50 per hour.  For EMT’s with 1 to 4 years of experience, the EMT salary range will be $10 to $14 per hour.  An EMT with 5 to 9 years of experience should expect a salary in the range of  $11 to $16, while EMT salaries move to $12 to $18 for 10 to 19 years of experience.  Finally, EMTs with more than 20 years of experience can expect an EMT salary range of $13 to $20.  In general, EMTs seem to receive the same types of benefits as police officers and firefighters.

EMT employment is expected to grow approximately 20%  through the year 2016.  The most job opportunities for EMTs are expected to be in the private ambulance services.  Local government based EMT jobs, including fire, police and third-service rescue squad departments are expected to be the most competitive EMT positions to obtain because of their better salaries and benefits.  As with most jobs, EMTs can improve their salaries through additional education and attaining higher certification levels, including the various NREMT certifications such as EMT-Intermediate and Paramedic.