The field of emergency medicine is exciting and fast paced. It takes a certain type of person to be able to thrive under the type of pressure that EMTs face every day on the job. 

While it may seem like EMTs are vastly underpaid, the barrier to entry in the EMT field is lower than with many other jobs in emergency care. 

An Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) can start working in the medical field responding to emergencies after just one year of training, which eliminates the cost of years' of college and grad school. The average student loan debt for an emergency physician is between $200,000 and $300,000.¹

EMTs and paramedics received a median pay rate of $36,650 per year or $17.62 per hour in 2020 across the United States. There were 265,200 EMTs and paramedics working in the United States during 2019. The highest-paid EMTs and paramedics made more than $62,150, and the lowest-paid EMTs and paramedics made less than $24,650 per year. 

Most EMTs and paramedics worked in three sectors during 2020:

• Hospitals

• Local government

• Ambulance services

While entry-level EMT salaries may seem low compared to other medical professions, there's an opportunity to move to different (higher-paying) jobs by pursuing additional education and certifications.²

How Much Does It Cost to Become an EMT?

Unlike other positions in the medical field, EMT training is typically inexpensive. In many places, a student can complete EMT training in one year or less. MassBay Community College offers an accredited EMT program spanning two semesters and one summer session. Students interested in EMT licensure, such as high school students, can also enroll in EMT courses with the program director's approval. 

Financial aid may be important to some EMT students, depending on their situation. An accredited educational program provides access to state and federal tuition assistance in the form of grants and loans. A student may also choose to use their savings to pay for EMT classes. 

For example, the Boston EMS EMT program, which lasts six months, costs $950. Students can keep their full-time day job while they complete the course as well. Classes are scheduled on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7-10 pm and alternate Saturdays between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. 

After completing the EMT course, EMT candidates can apply to be nationally registered as an EMT through the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). There is a $98 fee for registration. After acceptance, the EMT candidate can take the cognitive exam after paying the exam fee of $98. Psychomotor exams are administered at the state level.³ 

EMT candidates in Massachusetts must apply for Massachusetts Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Certification after completing the courses and passing the tests that correspond to their licensing level. There is a $150 certification fee to receive an initial EMT, Advanced EMT or Paramedic Certification.⁴ 

Average EMT Salary By State

EMTs in New York make an average of $625 per week, while EMTs in New Hampshire make $605 per week. Here are the average weekly EMT salaries across New England in the United States:

• Connecticut: $539

• Maine: $550

• Massachusetts: $570

• New Hampshire: $605

• Rhode Island: $503

• Vermont: $571

You can learn more about EMT salaries in specific areas of the United States at ZipRecruiter, where there's a list of EMT average salaries by state. According to ZipRecuiter, EMTs in Washington state have the highest average salaries at $34,617 per year. EMT wages in North Carolina are the lowest across the country at $21,823 per year.⁵ 

Is an EMT's Wage Low?

Depending on where you live, an entry-level EMT's average salary could be less than average wages in other areas in the medical field. For many EMT trainees, continuing education and higher certifications are part of their long-term plan. The opportunities to advance with additional training are plentiful, and doing so comes with pay increases. 

EMTs may be able to increase the amount of money they make by working for a company or city that pays overtime, and by learning how additional certifications may trigger a pay bump. 

After becoming an EMT, you can pursue further training to become an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) and then a paramedic. Both AEMTs and paramedics make more money on average than basic EMTs. 

EMT-Related Jobs That Pay the Most Money

There are many EMT-related jobs that pay a higher average salary than a basic EMT position. While these jobs may require additional training, it may be worth investigating the opportunity to move into one of these EMT-related jobs in your area. 

• Contract Traveling EMT: $55.11 per hour; $114,624 annual salary

• Critical Care Transport EMT: $50.23 per hour; $104,483 annual salary

• Urgent care EMT: $43.38 per hour; $90,227 annual salary

• Emergency Room EMT: $40.28 per hour; $83,781 annual salary

• Work From Home Critical Care Transport EMT: $38.78 per hour; $80,664 annual salary

EMT Salary in Boston

EMTs who complete the Recruit Training Academy and work with Boston EMS have a starting salary of $57,000, which is well above the Massachusetts EMT average salary of $29,640. 

The Recruit Training Program lasts six months with a 13-week classroom component. The field training component of the course is four 3-week cycles. After a combination of observation, hands-on supervised training and classroom learning, the recruits can be promoted to Boston EMS EMT status. They can then start working an assigned ambulance and shift. 

How Much Does a Basic EMT Make an Hour?

Across the United States, EMTs make an average of $14 per hour, which amounts to a yearly salary of $29,924 without any overtime. Most EMT jobs in the U.S. pay between $12.98 and $15.62 per hour. 

Where Do EMTs Get Paid the Most?

Here are the 10 U.S. cities with the highest average hourly wages for EMTs:

• Lakes, AK: $17.12

• San Francisco, CA: $16.95

• Santa Clara, CA: $16.83

• Soledad, CA, $16.76

• Washington, DC: $16.64

• Los Angeles, CA: $16.47

• Morristown, NJ: $16.37

• Fremont, CA: $16.30

• Jersey City, NJ: $16.27

• Ridgefield, CT: $16.24

While you can make a higher hourly wage in some cities, it's wise to research the cost of living in these areas before committing to a move.⁶

Are EMTs in Demand

Yes, EMTs are in demand. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the demand for EMTs and paramedics is higher than average through 2029. The population in the United States is aging rapidly. Adults over the age of 65 will make up 20% of the total population, and 

adults over the age of 85 will make up 4% of the population by 2050. People tend to require more healthcare services as they age, and EMTs provide valuable life-saving services in the field and in medical facilities.⁷ 

Choosing a career as an EMT is just the first step to making a living in the world of emergency medicine. If you want to get started in the field as soon as possible, the EMT position offers a training program that lasts six months to a year. While the pay is lower than many other positions in emergency medicine, being an EMT offers a sure way to find out if you want to pursue additional certifications and further your career in medicine.