EMTs and Paramedics

Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics assess injuries and illnesses, provide emergency medical care, and may transport patients to medical facilities.

Duties

EMTs and paramedics typically do the following:

• Respond to calls for medical assistance, such as at the scene of a car accident in which someone is injured
• Assess people’s condition and determine what treatment, if any, is needed
• Provide treatment, such as first aid or life support care, to sick or injured patients
• Prepare patients for and safely transport them to the emergency department of a hospital or other healthcare facility
• Document and report observations and any treatment provided, to physicians, nurses, or other healthcare staff
• Inventory and replace medical supplies and clean equipment after use

When transporting a patient in an ambulance, one EMT or paramedic may drive the ambulance while another monitors the patient’s vital signs and provides emergency medical care. Some paramedics work as part of a helicopter’s or an airplane’s flight crew to transport critically ill or injured patients to a hospital.

In addition to transporting patients from the scene of an emergency, EMTs and paramedics transfer patients from one medical facility to another. Some patients may need to be transferred to a hospital that specializes in treating their particular injury or illness or to a facility that provides long-term care, such as a nursing home.

EMTs and paramedics must decontaminate the interior of an ambulance after treating a patient who has a contagious disease. They also may need to report the case to the proper authorities.

The specific responsibilities of EMTs and paramedics depend on their level of certification and the state in which they work. EMTs and paramedics sometimes begin with emergency medical responder (EMR) certification and advance to other levels of certification as they gain competency. The following are some of the duties at each of these EMT or paramedic certification levels.

An EMT, also known as an EMT-Basic, cares for patients at the scene of an incident and while taking patients by ambulance to a hospital. An EMT has the skills to assess a patient’s condition and to manage emergencies such as those related to respiratory, cardiac, or trauma incidents.

An Advanced EMT, also known as an EMT-Intermediate, has completed both requirements for the EMT-Basic level and instruction that allows them to perform more advanced medical procedures, such as administering intravenous fluids and some medications.

Paramedics provide more extensive prehospital care than do EMTs. In addition to doing the tasks of EMTs, they are able to administer a wider range of medications, such as through intravenous methods. Paramedics also perform advanced airflow management and interpret electrocardiograms (EKGs)—which monitor heart function—and other types of equipment.

EMTs and paramedics typically interact with other public safety and support personnel. For example, a 911 operator sends EMTs and paramedics to the scene of an emergency, where they often work with police and firefighters.

Emergency medical technicians held about 181,000 jobs in 2024. The largest employers of emergency medical technicians were as follows:

Paramedics held about 101,900 jobs in 2024. The largest employers of paramedics were as follows:

These employment data exclude volunteer EMTs and paramedics, who share many of the same duties as paid EMTs and paramedics.

EMTs and paramedics work both indoors and outdoors, in all types of weather. Their work is physically strenuous, and they spend much of their time standing or moving. Their work also may be stressful, especially when it involves life-or-death situations. Some paramedics must fly on helicopters or airplanes as part of an air ambulance flight crew.

Injuries and Illnesses

EMTs and paramedics have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. EMTs and paramedics spend considerable time kneeling, bending, and lifting while caring for and moving patients. They may be exposed to serious diseases and viruses, such as HIV. EMTs and paramedics may reduce the risk of injury and illness by following proper safety procedures, such as waiting for police to clear an area in violent situations or wearing a mask and gloves while working with a patient.

Work Schedules

Most EMTs and paramedics work full time. Some work more than 40 hours per week. Because EMTs and paramedics must be available to work in emergencies, their schedules may vary to include nights, weekends, and holidays. Some EMTs and paramedics work extended shifts, such as ones lasting 12, 18, or 24 hours.

Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics typically complete a postsecondary educational program. All states require EMTs and paramedics to be licensed in the state in which they work; requirements vary by state.

The median annual wage for emergency medical technicians was $41,340 in May 2024.

The median annual wage for paramedics was $58,410 in May 2024.

Overall employment of EMTs and paramedics is projected to grow 5 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations.

About 19,000 openings for EMTs and paramedics are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.