How to become a Paramedics
Also called: Critical Care Paramedic, Firefighter Paramedic, First Responder, Flight Paramedic
Administer basic or advanced emergency medical care and assess injuries and illnesses. May administer medication intravenously, use equipment such as EKGs, or administer advanced life support to sick or injured individuals.
Main tasks
- Perform emergency cardiac care, such as cardioversion and manual defibrillation.
- Perform emergency invasive intervention before delivering patient to an acute care facility.
- Coordinate work with other emergency medical team members or police or fire department personnel.
- Assess nature and extent of illness or injury to establish and prioritize medical procedures.
- Comfort and reassure patients.
- Administer first aid treatment or life support care to sick or injured persons in prehospital settings.
- Operate equipment, such as electrocardiograms (EKGs), external defibrillators, or bag valve mask resuscitators, in advanced life support environments.
- Perform emergency pharmacological interventions.
How to become one
Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics typically complete a postsecondary educational program. All states require EMTs and paramedics to be licensed in the state in which they work; requirements vary by state.
Typical education to start: Postsecondary nondegree award
Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Ways in
- Apprenticeship: Paramedic (Alternate Title: Health Care Specialist).
- Certificate or associate's degree: Postsecondary nondegree award. Programs such as Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic)
- Licence: A licence is required in 38 states.
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Median pay: $60,600 a year The middle half earn $49,660 to $73,470.
- About 102,200 people work in this job now, and about 108,000 are projected by 2035. (+5.7%)
- People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.
Related jobs
- Emergency Medical Technicians
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Paramedics?
Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics typically complete a postsecondary educational program. All states require EMTs and paramedics to be licensed in the state in which they work; requirements vary by state.
How much does a Paramedics earn in the US?
Median full-time pay is $60,600 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $49,660 to $73,470.
Is a Paramedics a growing career in the US?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 6% by 2035, from about 102,200 to about 108,000 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Do you need a degree to become a Paramedics?
Not always. 29% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Postsecondary nondegree award; Paramedic (Alternate Title: Health Care Specialist).
Will AI change the work of a Paramedics?
People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.
Sources
- Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.