Paramedics are the top level of emergency medical responders. It is a field for professionals who have the technical ability, a high capacity to handle stress, and have a passion for helping others. If you are keen on becoming a paramedic, it’s essential to know what you can expect from this career. In this article, we discuss what paramedics do, their average salary, salaries by state, and the prerequisites for becoming a paramedic.
What Does a Paramedic Do?
A paramedic specializes in emergency medical services. They can be employed by a state agency or city government, a college or university, a hospital, a medical facility, or a dedicated EMT company. Some primary responsibilities of paramedics include:
- Stabilizing a patient and ensuring safe transport to the hospital
- Transporting the elderly to and from nursing care facilities
- Managing transports of patients between medical facilities and hospitals
- Monitoring vitals, performing triage and giving CPR
- Making critical care decisions under pressure, and often with little information, evaluating a patient’s condition
- Making decisions about timing and calling in specialized care groups (like an air ambulance service) to provide timely and the most beneficial healthcare for the emergency.
- Establishing a safe perimeter in the case of concerned friends or family and on-lookers
- Make notes of the situation and fill out paperwork, including the care provided, so that the attending doctor will know what’s been done once they reach the hospital.
- Ordering and maintaining supplies on a needed basis in the vehicle.
These healthcare professionals work with dispatchers to find the most efficient route to the nearest trauma center or hospital to handle the required level of emergency while taking capacity and overflow into consideration. This may include specialty facilities such as a level-one trauma center or a children’s hospital.
How Much Do Paramedics Make
Careers in the U. S:
The average compensation for a paramedic in the United States is $20.29 per hour. Factors that contribute to their hourly pay include geographic location, employer, and experience.
Paramedics can often pick up additional shifts, especially on nights and holidays, to earn a higher hourly salary. Demand may also factor into salary, causing particular paramedic crews in hard-to-staff areas to be paid at a higher rate than average. Most paramedics work full-time.
According to the U.S. BLS, jobs for paramedics are growing at a 7% rate, higher than the national job growth average. Natural disasters, an aging population, accidents, and catastrophes mean this profession is expected to increase by over 18,000 new positions through 2028(1).
Careers in Europe:
An entry-level paramedic (1-5 years of experience) earns an average salary of 32.080 €. On the other hand, a senior level paramedic (9+ years of experience) makes an average salary of 53.128 €. The average paramedic compensation in Germany is 43.556 € or an equivalent hourly rate of 21 €. Besides, they make an average bonus of 653 €.
Careers in Asia:
An entry-level paramedic (1-3 years of experience) earns an average salary of $37,796. On the other hand, a senior level paramedic (9+ years of experience) makes an average salary of $62,594. The average paramedic compensation in Singapore is $51,120 or an equivalent hourly rate of $25. Also, they earn an average bonus of $767.
[ Read: Steps to Become a Physician’s Assistant ]
Payment Outlook
The BLS listed the average paramedic’s salary as $35,400, suggesting the average wages have risen eighteen percent in the past year, which is remarkable. According to the BLS, the paramedic job outlook for 2028 is expected to grow 7%, faster than average for all professions.
This is because paramedics’ skills will continue to be required for emergencies such as natural disasters, car crashes, and acts of violence, the BLS noted, as will the need for paramedics in smaller metropolitan and rural areas.
The BLS also reported that the need for paramedics would continue to grow as the population of older people, and middle-aged people, grows and leads to an increase in age-related emergencies like heart attacks and strokes.
