Paramedics
SOC 29-2043 • View wages by state
The median annual wage for Paramedics is $53,180, based on BLS OEWS 2023 data. The mean annual wage is $57,450, and an estimated 98,770 workers are employed in this occupation nationally. Between 2021 and 2023, pay rose +13.7% while consumer prices rose 12.4% — a real change of +1.1% after inflation. BLS projects employment will grow 5% between 2024 and 2034.
Wage Trend & Inflation Adjustment
How the national median wage for Paramedics has moved across BLS OEWS release years, and what each year's wage is worth in 2023 dollars after adjusting for CPI inflation. "Real" change strips out inflation — the truest measure of whether pay is actually rising.
| Year | Median (nominal) | In 2023 $ (real) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $53,180 | $53,180 | 98,770 |
| 2022 | $49,090 | $51,111 | 95,440 |
| 2021 | $46,770 | $52,592 | 96,510 |
Nominal change
+13.7%
Inflation (CPI)
+12.4%
Real change
+1.1%
Job Outlook (2024–2034 BLS projection)
The BLS Employment Projections program estimates how each occupation's employment will change over the coming decade, and how many job openings to expect each year (from both growth and the need to replace workers who leave).
Projected Growth
+5%
Faster than average
Employment 2024
101,900
Projected 2034
107,000
Annual Openings
4,900
Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.
Highest-Paying Areas (2023)
Where Paramedics earn the most, and how each area's median compares to the national median of $53,180. A positive premium means the area pays above the national rate.
| Area | Median Annual | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $98,110 | +84.5% | 2,060 |
| New Jersey | $78,790 | +48.2% | 860 |
| Western Washington nonmetropolitan area | $78,640 | +47.9% | 190 |
| Connecticut nonmetropolitan area | $77,560 | +45.8% | 50 |
| Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area | $77,490 | +45.7% | 50 |
| Eastern Washington nonmetropolitan area | $76,680 | +44.2% | 150 |
| Hawaii | $75,500 | +42% | 130 |
| District of Columbia | $75,400 | +41.8% | 130 |
| Oregon | $70,590 | +32.7% | 980 |
| Alaska nonmetropolitan area | $69,370 | +30.4% | 60 |
Wage Distribution (National, 2023)
10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages from BLS OEWS — the full spread, not just an average.
10th Pct
$38,520
25th Pct
$45,990
Median
$53,180
75th Pct
$64,370
90th Pct
$79,430
H-1B Employer Filings
Employer-certified wages from DOL H-1B LCA filings — competitive market benchmark, not approved visas.
| Employer | State | Filings | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medic Ambulance Service, Inc. | CA | 2 | $78,686 |
| Acadian Ambulance Service, Inc. | LA | 2 | $49,920 |
| Charleston County Government | SC | 2 | $54,413 |
| Spirit Medical Transport | OH | 1 | $62,400 |
| Acadian Ambulance Services, Inc. | TX | 1 | $45,760 |
| EMS City of New Orleans | LA | 1 | $55,099 |
Source: DOL Office of Foreign Labor Certification, H-1B LCA data.
Related Occupations in Healthcare Practitioners & Technical
Other occupations in the same SOC major group, ranked by national median wage.
All Healthcare Practitioners & Technical occupations →