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For those entering the paramedic field, understanding salary potential is crucial. As of October 2025, the average paramedic salary stands at $44,640 annually. However, this figure can fluctuate based on a variety of factors, including geographic location, years of experience, and specific roles within emergency medical services.
In states like California and New York, paramedics commonly earn higher wages due to the cost of living and demand for emergency services. For instance, paramedics in these regions may see salaries exceeding $60,000 annually. Additionally, specialized roles within the field—such as flight paramedics or those working in critical care—often come with enhanced pay structures.
To maximize earnings, aspiring paramedics should consider pursuing additional certifications or training that can open doors to higher-paying positions. Understanding the various pathways within the paramedic profession can lead to improved job satisfaction and financial benefits.
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The average paramedic salary in Massachusetts, New Jersey, and California are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average paramedic salary states are Arkansas, Missouri, and Florida.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Virginia | $52,206 | $25.10 |
| 2 | New Hampshire | $51,533 | $24.78 |
| 3 | Louisiana | $49,170 | $23.64 |
| 4 | New Jersey | $53,332 | $25.64 |
| 5 | Tennessee | $46,114 | $22.17 |
| 6 | Arizona | $47,871 | $23.01 |
| 7 | Vermont | $51,781 | $24.89 |
| 8 | Nevada | $47,185 | $22.69 |
| 9 | Oregon | $52,002 | $25.00 |
| 10 | Maine | $46,439 | $22.33 |
| 11 | Massachusetts | $54,713 | $26.30 |
| 12 | Washington | $51,643 | $24.83 |
| 13 | Pennsylvania | $48,647 | $23.39 |
| 14 | Mississippi | $45,926 | $22.08 |
| 15 | Rhode Island | $50,602 | $24.33 |
| 16 | Wisconsin | $46,360 | $22.29 |
| 17 | Alaska | $48,978 | $23.55 |
| 18 | Michigan | $45,057 | $21.66 |
| 19 | New York | $50,050 | $24.06 |
| 20 | California | $53,131 | $25.54 |
| 21 | Oklahoma | $44,638 | $21.46 |
| 22 | District of Columbia | $54,135 | $26.03 |
| 23 | Connecticut | $47,607 | $22.89 |
| 24 | Delaware | $49,584 | $23.84 |
| 25 | Indiana | $41,871 | $20.13 |
| 26 | Nebraska | $46,035 | $22.13 |
| 27 | Utah | $46,049 | $22.14 |
| 28 | Minnesota | $46,114 | $22.17 |
| 29 | Kansas | $42,943 | $20.65 |
| 30 | Wyoming | $41,298 | $19.85 |
| 31 | New Mexico | $41,278 | $19.85 |
| 32 | North Dakota | $42,385 | $20.38 |
| 33 | Montana | $43,664 | $20.99 |
| 34 | Texas | $40,904 | $19.67 |
| 35 | Ohio | $41,355 | $19.88 |
| 36 | Iowa | $41,070 | $19.75 |
| 37 | South Carolina | $41,898 | $20.14 |
| 38 | Maryland | $46,566 | $22.39 |
| 39 | North Carolina | $41,078 | $19.75 |
| 40 | Florida | $39,510 | $19.00 |
| 41 | South Dakota | $37,407 | $17.98 |
| 42 | Hawaii | $43,214 | $20.78 |
| 43 | Virginia | $44,235 | $21.27 |
| 44 | Georgia | $39,264 | $18.88 |
| 45 | Alabama | $40,263 | $19.36 |
| 46 | Arkansas | $39,917 | $19.19 |
| 47 | Colorado | $42,977 | $20.66 |
| 48 | Idaho | $42,140 | $20.26 |
| 49 | Illinois | $42,163 | $20.27 |
| 50 | Missouri | $39,916 | $19.19 |
| 51 | Kentucky | $39,066 | $18.78 |
The highest-paying cities for paramedics are Arlington, MA, San Francisco, CA, and Jersey City, NJ.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arlington, MA | $54,605 | $26.25 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $54,154 | $26.04 |
| 3 | Jersey City, NJ | $53,479 | $25.71 |
| 4 | Portland, OR | $51,934 | $24.97 |
| 5 | New York, NY | $50,213 | $24.14 |
| 6 | Philadelphia, PA | $49,002 | $23.56 |
| 7 | Phoenix, AZ | $47,974 | $23.06 |
| 8 | Las Vegas, NV | $47,197 | $22.69 |
| 9 | Milwaukee, WI | $46,451 | $22.33 |
| 10 | Omaha, NE | $46,098 | $22.16 |
| 11 | Arlington, VA | $45,327 | $21.79 |
| 12 | Oklahoma City, OK | $44,746 | $21.51 |
| 13 | Kansas City, KS | $43,003 | $20.67 |
| 14 | Colorado Springs, CO | $42,995 | $20.67 |
| 15 | El Paso, TX | $41,773 | $20.08 |
| 16 | Indianapolis, IN | $41,752 | $20.07 |
| 17 | Raleigh, NC | $41,446 | $19.93 |
| 18 | Albuquerque, NM | $41,361 | $19.89 |
| 19 | Columbus, OH | $41,016 | $19.72 |
| 20 | Saint Louis, MO | $40,136 | $19.30 |
Paramedics are the most in-demand in these five cities:
A paramedic's salary ranges from $33,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $59,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $59,000 | $4,917 | $28 |
| 75th Percentile | $51,000 | $4,250 | $25 |
| Average | $44,640 | $3,720 | $21 |
| 25th Percentile | $38,000 | $3,167 | $18 |
| 10th Percentile | $33,000 | $2,750 | $16 |
The highest paying types of paramedics are certified registered nurse anesthetist, emergency department registered nurse, and emergency room nurse.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist | $152,996 | $12,750 | $73.56 | 189,889 |
| Nurse Extern | $37,156 | $3,096 | $17.86 | 569,180 |
| Emergency Department Volunteer | $33,232 | $2,769 | $15.98 | 47,377 |
| Emergency Room Nurse | $79,886 | $6,657 | $38.41 | 610,768 |
| Emergency Department Registered Nurse | $81,260 | $6,772 | $39.07 | 661,518 |
| Emergency Room Technician | $35,967 | $2,997 | $17.29 | 129,444 |
Paramedic salaries at Mission Regional Medical Center and LCMC Health are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average paramedic salary at companies like Cook Children's Medical Center and Dignity Health are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mission Regional Medical Center | $63,723 | $30.64 |
| 2 | LCMC Health | $62,490 | $30.04 |
| 3 | Cook Children's Medical Center | $61,763 | $29.69 |
| 4 | Dignity Health | $61,623 | $29.63 |
| 5 | Erlanger Health System | $61,533 | $29.58 |
| 6 | North Arkansas Regional Medical Center | $61,332 | $29.49 |
| 7 | Enloe Medical Center | $61,148 | $29.40 |
| 8 | East Alabama Health | $61,122 | $29.39 |
| 9 | Grand View Health | $60,976 | $29.32 |
| 10 | HonorHealth | $60,706 | $29.19 |
| 11 | Baptist Health | $60,597 | $29.13 |
| 12 | St. Tammany Health System | $60,538 | $29.10 |
| 13 | Regional Medical Center- Orangeburg | $60,511 | $29.09 |
| 14 | Roper St. Francis Healthcare | $60,355 | $29.02 |
| 15 | El Paso Children's Hospital | $60,034 | $28.86 |
| 16 | Houston Healthcare | $59,546 | $28.63 |
| 17 | Baptist Health Care | $59,221 | $28.47 |
| 18 | Children's Hospital Colorado | $59,063 | $28.40 |
| 19 | Halifax Health | $58,989 | $28.36 |
| 20 | Conway Medical Center | $58,953 | $28.34 |
The average paramedic salary has risen by $5,501 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average paramedic earned $39,139 annually, but today, they earn $44,640 a year. That works out to a 7% change in pay for paramedics over the last decade.
Compare paramedic salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare paramedic salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $44,600 | $21.46 | +2.7% |
| 2024 | $43,400 | $20.88 | -0.7% |
| 2023 | $43,700 | $21.03 | +2.7% |
| 2022 | $42,500 | $20.45 | +2.1% |
| 2021 | $41,600 | $20.02 | +2.1% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas A&M University | Paramedic I-PRN | College Station, TX | 06/30/2025 | $41,740 |
| Worlds of Fun | Paramedic | Kansas City, MO | 06/30/2025 | $73,045 |
| Total Access Urgent Care | Paramedic | Saint Louis, MO | 06/30/2025 | $50,088 |
| Biolife Plasma Services | Paramedic-Colorado Springs-South | Colorado Springs, CO | 06/29/2025 | $54,262 |
| Amr | Emergency Response Paramedic | Billings, MT | 06/29/2025 | $53,352 |
| Amr | Emergency Response Paramedic | Macomb, IL | 06/29/2025 | $52,175 |
| Estes Park Health | Paramedic--Internal Only | Estes Park, CO | 06/29/2025 | $49,691 |
| Cataldo Ambulance Business Trust | Paramedic-Medic Worcester/Western Mass Area | Worcester, MA | 06/29/2025 | $52,175 |
| Heartland Health | Clinic Paramedic-Urgent Care | Saint Joseph, MO | 06/29/2025 | $43,076 |
| Get It-Hospitality | Paramedic-Grand Rapids-Remote | Grand Rapids, MN | 06/29/2025 | $62,610 |
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