Paramedics place IV lines before patients arrive at a hospital.
Paramedics provide life-saving assistance in medical emergencies and transport patients to the nearest hospital or trauma center in an ambulance or helicopter. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has estimated that job opportunities for paramedics and emergency medical technicians will increase by 9 percent from 2008 through 2018.
National Average
Paramedics earned an average hourly wage of $15.38 and an average annual salary of $31,980 as of May 2008, according to the BLS. Paramedic service providers earned a median hourly wage of $14.10 and a median annual salary of $29,330 as of May 2008.
Employer Averages
Paramedics employed by hospitals earned an average hourly wage of $15.73 and an average annual salary of $32,710, and paramedic service providers employed by outpatient facilities earned an average hourly wage of $15.13 and an average annual salary of $31,470 as of May 2008, according to the BLS.
Highest-Paying States
States that paid the highest hourly wages for paramedics are Alaska, Hawaii, Maryland and Oregon, as well the District of Columbia. These places paid paramedic service providers hourly wages ranging from $20.01 to $23.45 and annual salaries ranging from $41,630 to $48,780 as of May 2008, according to the BLS.
Highest-Paying Metropolitan Areas
Metropolitan areas that paid the highest hourly wages for paramedics are the San Francisco area, the Honolulu area and the Olympia, Bremerton and Tacoma areas in Washington. These metropolitan areas paid paramedic service providers hourly wages ranging from $23.45 to $32.99 and annual salaries ranging from $48,780 to $68,620 as of May 2008, according to the BLS.
Highest Job Concentration States
States that had the highest job concentration of paramedics are Kentucky, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and West Virginia. These states paid paramedic service providers hourly wages ranging from $11.30 to $16.05 and annual salaries ranging from $23,510 to $33,390 as of May 2008, according to the BLS.
Highest Job Concentration Metropolitan Areas
Metropolitan areas that had the highest job concentration of paramedics are the Prescott area in Arizona, the Jefferson City are in Missouri, the Ocean City area in New Jersey, the Johnstown area in Pennsylvania and the Anderson area in South Carolina. These metropolitan areas paid paramedic service providers hourly wages ranging from $9.89 to $15.09 and annual salaries ranging from $20,580 to $31,390 as of May 2008, according to the BLS.
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