How Much Does a Paramedic Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$60,600
Paramedics in the U.S. earn a median of $60,600 a year, or $29.13 an hour. Half of paramedics earn more than $60,600 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $84,850.
Pay percentiles for paramedics
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $21.27 | $44,230 |
| 25th | $23.88 | $49,660 |
| 50th (median) | $29.13 | $60,600 |
| 75th | $35.32 | $73,470 |
| 90th | $40.80 | $84,850 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Paramedics (SOC 29-2043). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for paramedics
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $104,310 | $50.15 | +72% |
| New Jersey | $86,630 | $41.65 | +43% |
| Hawaii | $81,280 | $39.08 | +34% |
| District of Columbia | $78,550 | $37.77 | +30% |
| Connecticut | $77,480 | $37.25 | +28% |
| Minnesota | $76,300 | $36.68 | +26% |
| Oregon | $74,840 | $35.98 | +23% |
| California | $74,590 | $35.86 | +23% |
| New York | $73,200 | $35.19 | +21% |
| Alaska | $71,860 | $34.55 | +19% |
| United States | $60,600 | $29.13 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many paramedics are there?
BLS counts about 100,610 paramedics employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). The most jobs are in Texas (8,410), Florida (6,970) and New York (6,110).
The mean (average) annual wage is $63,360, higher than the median of $60,600.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $5,050
- Biweekly
- $2,331
- Weekly
- $1,165
- Daily (8 hours)
- $233
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do paramedics make an hour?
The median hourly wage for paramedics is $29.13. The middle 50% earn between $23.88 and $35.32 an hour.
Which state pays paramedics the most?
Washington has the highest median wage for paramedics at $104,310, +72% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for paramedics?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of paramedics earn less than $44,230 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.