EMTs and paramedics held about 201,000 jobs in 2006. Most career EMTs and paramedics work in metropolitan areas. However, volunteer EMTs and Paramedics are more common in small cities, towns, and rural areas.
Paid EMTs and paramedics were employed in a number of industries. About 4 out of 10 worked as employees of private ambulance services; About 3 out of 10 worked in local government for fire departments, public ambulance services, and emergency medical services; and another 2 out of 10 worked full time in hospitals within the medical facility or responded to calls in ambulances or helicopters to transport critically ill or injured patients. The remainder worked in various industries providing emergency services.
Employment for EMTs and paramedics is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2016. Job prospects should be good, particularly in cities and private ambulance services.
Employment of emergency medical technicians and paramedics is expected to grow by 19 percent between 2006 and 2016, which is faster than the average for all occupations. Full-time paid EMTs and paramedics will be needed to replace unpaid volunteers. It is becoming increasing difficult for emergency medical services to recruit and retain unpaid volunteers because of the amount of training and the large time commitment these positions require. As a result, more paid EMTs and Paramedics are needed. Furthermore, as a large segment of the population—aging members of the baby boom generation—becomes more likely to have medical emergencies, demand will increase for EMTs and Paramedics.
Earnings of EMTs and paramedics depend on the employment setting and geographic location as well as the individual's training and experience. Median annual earnings of EMTs and paramedics were $27,070 in May 2006. More recently, a JEMS 2008 Salary and Workplace Survey, conducted by JEMS (Journal of Emergency Medical Services), found the median annual wage for an EMT-Intermediate to be $27,588.00 (market range is from $25,587.37 to $30,863.54), and Paramedics with a median annual wage of $37,699.78 (market range is from $32,909.29 to $41,809.34).
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