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The differences between paramedics and licensed practical nurses can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a licensed practical nurse has an average salary of $52,912, which is higher than the $44,640 average annual salary of a paramedic.
The top three skills for a paramedic include patients, acls and CPR. The most important skills for a licensed practical nurse are patients, CPR, and home health.
| Paramedic | Licensed Practical Nurse | |
| Yearly salary | $44,640 | $52,912 |
| Hourly rate | $21.46 | $25.44 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 27,896 | 614,369 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3.33 |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 45% | Associate Degree, 33% |
| Average age | 36 | 46 |
| Years of experience | - | 2 |
A paramedic is a healthcare professional who provides advanced medical care and emergency treatment to patients in the field. Although they can work on ambulances or hospital emergency rooms, paramedics may work as part of a helicopter's flight crew to transport critically ill patients to a specialized hospital. Paramedics are required to create a patient care report and document the medical care of patients they are treating. Also, paramedics need to follow the guidelines they learned in training from their physician who supervises their work.
Licensed practical nurses are considered leading front liners in the clinic or hospital setting. They assist nurses and doctors in conducting various activities related to sick or injured patients. Licensed practical nurses are primarily expected to provide routine care for patients and assist registered nurses in creating care plans. They maintain and update medical records, prepare patients for medical examinations, help patients dress, bath, or eat, take vital signs, administer and monitor medicine intake, monitor patients and update nurses and doctors on patient status, and assist during medical examinations.
Paramedics and licensed practical nurses have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Paramedic | Licensed Practical Nurse | |
| Average salary | $44,640 | $52,912 |
| Salary range | Between $33,000 And $59,000 | Between $37,000 And $74,000 |
| Highest paying City | Arlington, MA | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Mission Regional Medical Center | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Government | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a paramedic and a licensed practical nurse in terms of educational background:
| Paramedic | Licensed Practical Nurse | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 45% | Associate Degree, 33% |
| Most common major | Medical Technician | Nursing |
| Most common college | - | Emory University |
Here are the differences between paramedics' and licensed practical nurses' demographics:
| Paramedic | Licensed Practical Nurse | |
| Average age | 36 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 68.4% Female, 31.6% | Male, 11.3% Female, 88.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.6% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 4.5% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 12.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 6.5% White, 59.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 7% |