Information Provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
Because emergency services function 24 hours a day, emergency medical technicians and paramedics have irregular working hours. Emergency medical technicians and paramedics need formal training and certification, but requirements vary by State. Employment is projected to grow much faster than average as paid emergency medical technician positions replace unpaid volunteers. Competition will be greater for jobs in local fire, police, and rescue squad departments than in private ambulance services; opportunities will be best for those who have advanced certification.
On average, Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics earn $ 27,070 per year.
Job Opportunities for Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics are expected to:
Increase faster than average.
Peoples lives often depend on the quick reaction and competent care of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics. Incidents as varied as automobile accidents, heart attacks, slips and falls, childbirth, and gunshot wounds all require immediate medical attention. EMTs and paramedics provide this vital service as they care for and transport the sick or injured to a medical facility.
high school diploma is usually required to enter a formal emergency medical technician training program. Training is offered at progressive levels: EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate, and EMT-Paramedic. At the EMT-Basic level, coursework emphasizes emergency skills, such as managing respiratory, trauma, and cardiac emergencies, and patient assessment. Formal courses are often combined with time in an emergency room or ambulance.
EMTs and paramedics held about 201,000 jobs in 2006. Most career EMTs and paramedics work in metropolitan areas. Volunteer EMTs and paramedics are more common in small cities, towns, and rural areas. These individuals volunteer for fire departments, emergency medical services, or hospitals and may respond to only a few calls per month. About 30 percent of EMTs or paramedics belong to a union.
