How Much Does an Ambulance Driver Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$35,450
Ambulance drivers in the U.S. earn a median of $35,450 a year, or $17.04 an hour. Half of ambulance drivers earn more than $35,450 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $45,960.
Pay percentiles for ambulance drivers
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $13.15 | $27,350 |
| 25th | $14.78 | $30,750 |
| 50th (median) | $17.04 | $35,450 |
| 75th | $18.47 | $38,410 |
| 90th | $22.10 | $45,960 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians (SOC 53-3011). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for ambulance drivers
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $73,730 | $35.45 | +108% |
| Oregon | $40,900 | $19.66 | +15% |
| Massachusetts | $39,480 | $18.98 | +11% |
| Maryland | $38,410 | $18.47 | +8% |
| North Dakota | $37,690 | $18.12 | +6% |
| Utah | $37,660 | $18.11 | +6% |
| Wisconsin | $37,450 | $18.00 | +6% |
| New York | $37,230 | $17.90 | +5% |
| Virginia | $36,980 | $17.78 | +4% |
| Illinois | $36,730 | $17.66 | +4% |
| United States | $35,450 | $17.04 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many ambulance drivers are there?
BLS counts about 12,630 ambulance drivers employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians”. The most jobs are in California (1,420), Pennsylvania (1,400) and South Carolina (620).
The mean (average) annual wage is $36,210, higher than the median of $35,450.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $2,954
- Biweekly
- $1,363
- Weekly
- $682
- Daily (8 hours)
- $136
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do ambulance drivers make an hour?
The median hourly wage for ambulance drivers is $17.04. The middle 50% earn between $14.78 and $18.47 an hour.
Which state pays ambulance drivers the most?
Connecticut has the highest median wage for ambulance drivers at $73,730, +108% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for ambulance drivers?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of ambulance drivers earn less than $27,350 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.