Paramedics
What Paramedics Do
Administer basic or advanced emergency medical care and assess injuries and illnesses. May administer medication intravenously, use equipment such as EKGs, or administer advanced life support to sick or injured individuals.
See full salary breakdown & percentiles →
Career Outlook
National employment outlook, 2024–2034.
- Related work experience
- Less than 5 years
- On-the-job training
- None
- Self-employed
- Not available
Source: BLS Employment Projections — 2024-2034.
How Much Preparation Does This Take?
Job Zone 3 of 5Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations.
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Job training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Source: O*NET Job Zones.
Software & Technologies
Tools and software used in this occupation, per O*NET.
Hot Technologies
Other Software Used
- Epocrates
- HyperTox
- Informed EMS Field Guide
- Iterum eMedic
- MedDataSolutions Regist*r
- Medical Wizards ER & ICU ToolBox
- Medical Wizards ER Suite
- Medical Wizards Paramedics ToolBox
Work Style
Personal work characteristics that matter most for this occupation, per O*NET.
- Stress Tolerance
- Self-Control
- Dependability
- Adaptability
- Integrity
- Attention to Detail
- Perseverance
Career Interests
This occupation’s RIASEC interest profile, per O*NET — how strongly it fits each of the six Holland interest types.
- SocialHigh
- RealisticHigh
- InvestigativeHigh
- ConventionalMedium
- EnterprisingLow
- ArtisticLow
This page includes information from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Where This Career Is Most Concentrated
Metro areas where paramedics make up the largest share of local employment, relative to the national average (BLS location quotient).
- 1Homosassa Springs, FL4.79× national avg
- 2Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ4.27× national avg
- 3Aguadilla, PR3.85× national avg
- 4Rocky Mount, NC3.70× national avg
- 5Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH3.65× national avg
Possible Career Moves
A computed starting point, not observed job-change data — see the full list for why each one might fit.
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational NursesLateral Move
- Emergency Medical TechniciansLateral Move
- Registered NursesAdvancement
- Respiratory TherapistsLateral Move
Related Education Programs
Schools that offer related fields of study, based on the NCES CIP-SOC crosswalk — not a guarantee that graduates enter this specific career.
Medical Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiation Therapist
- Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale (Fort Lauderdale, FL)grads earn ~$61,608
- Santa Rosa Junior College (Santa Rosa, CA)
- Victor Valley College (Victorville, CA)grads earn ~$119,604
- Meridian Institute of Surgical Assisting (Nashville, TN)grads earn ~$79,119
- Smith Chason College (Los Angeles, CA)grads earn ~$64,611