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By the Numbers
• In the U.S.: There are about
240,000 EMTs and paramedics.
• The need for these jobs is rising;
more than 50,000 more will be
needed by 2022.
• EMTs earn from$25,000 to $50,000.
Paramedics make from $40,000 to
$70,000, though in some cities that
can be even higher.
they live checks to make sure they are
fully ready to go to work. Most states
make EMTs and paramedics qualify
every few years. They have to prove
they are up-to-date on the latest meth-
ods and laws.
Getting the Job
With their license in hand, the newly
created EMTs and paramedics can look
for a job. Every state has different ways to hire
people for this work. In general, though, a city or
a county has paramedics as part of its fire depart-
ment. Sometimes firefighters train to become
paramedics as well. Other times, the paramed-
ics ride alongside firefighters to emergencies. In
some places, private companies provide emer-
gency medical help, and paramedics can work for
them, too.
After filling out an application and showing
their knowledge and skills, some paramedics will
be asked to make some trial runs. This gives the
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