What Do Emergency Medical Technician or Paramedic Do?
Occupation Description Assess injuries, administer emergency medical care, and extricate trapped individuals. Transport injured or sick persons to medical facilities.
Daily Life Of an EMT or Paramedic
- Administer drugs, orally or by injection, or perform intravenous procedures under a physician’s direction.
- Immobilize patient for placement on stretcher and ambulance transport, using backboard or other spinal immobilization device.
- Assess nature and extent of illness or injury to establish and prioritize medical procedures.
- Operate equipment, such as electrocardiograms (EKGs), external defibrillators, or bag valve mask resuscitators, in advanced life support environments.
- Coordinate work with other emergency medical team members or police or fire department personnel.
- Administer first aid treatment or life support care to sick or injured persons in prehospital settings.
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Qualities of an EMT or Paramedic
These are the skills Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics say are the most useful in their careers:
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Other EMT or Paramedic Job Titles
- Emergency Medical Technician/Driver (EMT/DRIVER)
- Emergency Medical Technician, Basic (EMT, B)
- Multi Care Technician (Multi Care Tech)
- EMT/Paramedic (Emergency Medical Technician/Paramedic)
- Rescue Worker
Is There Going to be Demand for Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics?
There were about 248,000 jobs for Emergency Medical Technician or Paramedic in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 15.1% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 37,400 new jobs for Emergency Medical Technician or Paramedic by 2026. There will be an estimated 19,400 positions for EMT or Paramedic per year.

The states with the most job growth for EMT or Paramedic are Colorado, Arizona, and Utah. Watch out if you plan on working in Rhode Island, Mississippi, or Wisconsin. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What is the Average Salary of an EMT or Paramedic
Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics make between $22,760 and $58,640 a year.

Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics who work in Washington, District of Columbia, or Hawaii, make the highest salaries.
How much do Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $30,260 |
Alaska | $47,780 |
Arizona | $38,260 |
Arkansas | $31,800 |
California | $39,350 |
Colorado | $42,320 |
Connecticut | $46,890 |
Delaware | $40,730 |
District of Columbia | $57,270 |
Florida | $35,790 |
Georgia | $33,950 |
Hawaii | $54,370 |
Idaho | $37,960 |
Illinois | $41,940 |
Indiana | $34,040 |
Iowa | $35,760 |
Kansas | $30,520 |
Kentucky | $31,430 |
Louisiana | $36,930 |
Maine | $34,170 |
Maryland | $49,490 |
Massachusetts | $41,570 |
Michigan | $33,720 |
Minnesota | $42,460 |
Mississippi | $33,310 |
Missouri | $34,560 |
Montana | $33,020 |
Nebraska | $33,130 |
Nevada | $36,240 |
New Hampshire | $38,390 |
New Jersey | $37,460 |
New Mexico | $35,660 |
New York | $44,120 |
North Carolina | $36,200 |
North Dakota | $32,680 |
Ohio | $32,200 |
Oklahoma | $33,020 |
Oregon | $42,470 |
Pennsylvania | $33,980 |
Rhode Island | $40,070 |
South Carolina | $34,570 |
South Dakota | $32,360 |
Tennessee | $36,600 |
Texas | $36,620 |
Utah | $33,870 |
Vermont | $34,290 |
Virginia | $35,310 |
Washington | $67,600 |
West Virginia | $30,690 |
Wisconsin | $34,780 |
Wyoming | $34,120 |
What Tools & Technology do Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- MEDITECH software
- Microsoft operating system
How do I Become an EMT or Paramedic?
Individuals working as an Emergency Medical Technician or Paramedic have obtained the following education levels:

What work experience do I need to become an EMT or Paramedic?

Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics Sector

Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics work in the following industries:

Similar Careers
Those thinking about becoming an Emergency Medical Technician or Paramedic might also be interested in the following careers:
Those who work as an Emergency Medical Technician or Paramedic sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
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