Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) / Paramedic Salary

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) / Paramedics are the medical personnel that hold perhaps the most vital position in emergency medical care. Without their expertise, far more people would die before even making it to a hospital for treatment. While EMTs/Paramedics are not usually technically medical doctors, they can be thought of much as mobile emergency doctors. They are trained in all fields of personal injury and medical conditions.

EMTs/Paramedics must be on the available at all times. They may have rotating shifts so that they work two full shifts and then have one off. Or their hours may be day or night, and sometimes switching back and forth between the two. EMTs/Paramedics spend the bulk of their time waiting for emergency calls at the hospital, in an ambulance, and on the road responding to an emergency call.

During an emergency response they must employ all medical techniques required to help the person in need of medical attention. They do not work alone but always work with at least one other, and often two other EMTs/Paramedics. This job requires several qualifications in order to be hired, and they may look like this:

1. Basic Life Support Health Care Provider card through American Heart Association.

2. Current EMT-B Certification in the state in which they seek employment.

3. Current EMT-I Certification in the state in which they seek employment.

4. Current certification to practice as a Paramedic in the state in which they seek employment.

The importance of the EMT/Paramedic cannot be understated. The fact is, there would be many more fatalities if this position did not exist. EMT/Paramedics are every bit as crucial as doctors but they don't always receive the recognition they deserve simply because they do not usually have doctorate degrees. (Copyright 2017 PayScale.com)

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) / Paramedic Tasks

• Assess nature and extent of illness or injury to establish and prioritize medical procedures.
• Operate equipment such as electrocardiograms (EKGs) or complete endotracheal intubations.
• Administer oral or intravenous drugs.
• Administer complex first-aid treatment and life-support care to sick or injured persons in prehospital setting.
• Maintain vehicles and medical and communication equipment, and replenish first-aid equipment and supplies.

Home to some of the best pay for Paramedics, Houston offers exceptional salaries, 38 percent above the national average. Paramedics can also look forward to large paychecks in cities like New York (+21 percent), Atlanta (+16 percent), Phoenix (+13 percent), and Philadelphia (+13 percent). Those in the field find the lowest salaries in West Palm Beach, 14 percent below the national average. Two other places where employers offer below-median salaries are Detroit (8 percent less) and Chicago (6 percent less).