Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Postsecondary nondegree award
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These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) play a vital role in emergency care and transportation. Nationally, there are about 181,000 EMTs, with a median annual salary of $41,340. The field is projected to grow 5.1%, and there are an estimated 14,000 annual openings, indicating a steady flow of opportunities for new and experienced professionals. EMT roles draw on both physical capability and strong communication skills, making this path suitable for people who are comfortable combining hands-on activity with direct interaction. Typical entry into this career is through a postsecondary nondegree award, which can make it accessible for those who do not plan to complete a four-year degree. For people exploring related options, similar occupations include ambulance drivers and attendants, parking enforcement workers, telecommunications line installers and repairers, dental hygienists, and miscellaneous construction and related workers. Overall, emergency medical technicians can find opportunities across many regions, especially in selected states and metro areas with higher opportunity scores.
Emergency medical technicians earn a national median salary of $41,340. Pay levels vary notably by state and metro area. Among the top states for this occupation, Washington reports a median salary of $52,690, Massachusetts $50,230, New York $48,400, California $46,380, and Colorado $45,750. These figures show that some states offer substantially higher median pay than the national median. At the metro level, several areas stand out for higher salaries: San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA has a median of $54,650; New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ is close behind at $53,820; and San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA reports $51,480. Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV and Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH also show median salaries above $49,000. Job seekers who prioritize earnings may want to focus on these higher-paying states and metros when planning their EMT career path.
Emergency medical technicians have a national employment base of about 181,000 jobs, with projected growth of 5.1%. This growth rate, combined with 14,000 annual openings, suggests a consistent need for new EMTs over time, including both new positions and replacements for people leaving the field. The fact that both the national projection and the state and metro projections listed share the same 5.1% growth figure indicates that opportunities are expected to expand in multiple regions, not just in one or two specific areas. For individuals considering long-term stability, this projected growth and volume of openings can be an important factor. The presence of EMT roles across a wide range of states and metropolitan areas also means that candidates may have flexibility in choosing where to live and work while still finding employment prospects in this occupation.
Emergency medical technicians can find particularly strong regional opportunities in several states and metro areas. Among states, California leads the group with 21,880 employed EMTs, a median salary of $46,380, and an opportunity score of 67.38. Massachusetts and New York offer higher median salaries of $50,230 and $48,400, with opportunity scores of 65.87 and 65.78 respectively. Washington has the highest listed state-level median salary at $52,690, while Colorado shows a median of $45,750. All these states share a projected growth rate of 5.1%, but their opportunity scores and pay levels differ, giving job seekers distinct options depending on their priorities. At the metro level, San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA and New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ stand out with opportunity scores above 77 and median salaries above $53,000. San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA, Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV, and Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH also pair solid salaries with opportunity scores above 63, highlighting multiple urban areas where EMT careers may be especially attractive.
The typical educational pathway for emergency medical technicians is a postsecondary nondegree award. This means that most people enter the field through programs that are beyond high school but do not result in a traditional college degree. Given this training model, success in EMT roles is closely tied to a specific mix of skills. Important abilities include being detail oriented and having strong physical strength and stamina, which support the physical and precision demands of the work. Interpersonal and customer service skills, along with speaking and listening, are central to interacting effectively with others. Mechanical aptitude and science knowledge contribute to understanding equipment and basic principles used in the role. Fine motor skills, adaptability, and writing and reading competencies round out the profile, supporting accurate documentation and the ability to adjust in changing situations. People who already possess or are interested in developing this combination of skills may find the EMT training path a good fit.
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