Emergency medical technicians and paramedics in the United States earned an average annual salary of $35,430 per year. In Canada, paramedics are paid between C$33,316 ($24,897 USD) and C$82,854 ($61,904 USD). Ambulance paramedics make between £22,000 ($27,440 USD) and £35,250 ($43,940 USD) in the United Kingdom The average pay is AU$71,780 ($55,005 USD) in Australia and CHF 60,600 ($62,148 USD). For Norway, operators and drivers in the health enterprises sector had an average pay of NOK 310,800 ($38,107 USD). Read below for what impacts the emergency medical technician also known as EMT salary, how to obtain experience, the job outlook and the type of benefits available to these workers.
Emergency Medical Technician Salary Influencers
The compensation for an emergency medical technician likely will turn on factors such as location of employment, the type of employer (private or public sector) and experience. While emergency medical technicians occupy entry-level positions, paramedics may earn more because of their prior experience and advanced skill and education.
1. Industry
EMTs and paramedics work primarily for either ambulance companies or governmental agencies. Typically, these professionals are not-self employed. Therefore, salaries may depend, in part, on employers’ revenues and need to control costs. In particular, pay for government-employed paramedics or EMTs may be constrained by budgetary concerns of agencies.
2. Geographical Area
| EMT Salary | Hourly Wage | Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| US | $17.04 | $35,430 |
| Canada | C$26.29 | C$54,000 |
| UK | £13.70 | £28,500 |
| Australia | AU$34.48 | AU$71,708 |
| Switzerland | CHF29.13 | CHF60,600 |
| Norway | NOK149.42 | NOK310,800 |
EMT Salary in the US
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Emergency Medical Technicians made an average of $35,430 per year, as of May 2015. The highest salaries resided in the State Government Sector, at $59,890 per year. The top 10 percent of EMT Salaries amounted to at least $55,110.
EMT Salary in Canada
PayScale says paramedics in Canada earn on average C$54,000 per year. Accounting for overtime and bonuses, paramedics make between C$33,316 and C$82,854 per year. As for emergency medical technicians, PayScale reports those with one to four years experience average C$53,850 per year, while pay for EMTs with five to nine years was C$66,000.
EMT Salary in the UK
The National Health Service reports ambulance paramedics in the United Kingdom average between £22,000 and £35,250. Starters earn on average £22,000 and paramedics in the experienced category make an average of £28,500. For those deemed “highly experience,” pay averages £35,200 per year.
EMT Salary in Australia
According to the Australian government, the average pay for paramedics in Australia is AU$1,379 per week. On a yearly basis, the average amounts to AU$71,780.
EMT Salary in Switzerland
Paramedics in Switzerland make an average yearly salary of CHF60,600. This translates to CHF 5,050 per month.
EMT Salary in Norway
Statistics Norway reports that, as of 2010, operators and drivers in health enterprises earned on average NOK 25,900 per month, with translates to a yearly mean salary of NOK 310,800.
3. Experience
Emergency Medical Technicians generally work as entry-level employees, but have undergone education courses. Some may gain experience through volunteering while in high school or otherwise prior to graduation.
While hours of course work may vary by location, EMTs have on average 150 hours of course work. Paramedics obtain their experience by serving as an EMT. Programs for advanced EMTs and paramedics may exceed 1,000 hours. In the United Kingdom, paramedics must obtain either a diploma of higher education or a degree in paramedic science or paramedic emergency care.
Working Hours
Emergency medical technicians typically work full-time hours, though the number may vary by nation. For example, in the United Kingdom, the average work week is 37.5 hours. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, one out of every three paramedics logged in excess of 40 hours per week. Paramedics in Australia work on average 42.3 percent. Approximately 96 percent of paramedics in that country work full-time.
Emergency medical technicians and paramedics work nights, weekends and holidays. Shifts may run 12 hours or even 24 hours at a time. Those in volunteer fire or rescue departments will have part-time duty on a few days of the week.
Bonuses & Benefit Packages
EMTs and paramedics employed for ambulance services have benefits determined generally by employer. Those who work for local governments usually participate in government-defined or funded pension programs. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately three in ten EMTs and paramedics work for local government agencies. Employees in the United Kingdom’s National Health Service can access pension benefits starting at age 55.
In Australia, health and other employees can participate in superannuation. This devotes 9.5 percent of earnings for retirement. Switzerland and Norway provide for guaranteed occupational pension, paid holiday leave and occupational insurance.
Job Outlook
An aging population and the occurrence of car crashes, crime and natural disaster are among the factors guiding demand for emergency medical technicians and paramedics. For example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 24 percent rise in employment, or 58,500 new jobs, by 2024. The Australian government rates anticipated job growth in Ambulance Officers and Paramedics through November 2020 as strong.
Switzerland has four people aged 20 to 64 for every one who has reached aged 65; in 1860, that ratio stood at 12 to 1. According to the Population Reference Bureau, in 2010, Switzerland and Norway had 11 middle-aged people to care for each elderly person. By 2050, that ratio in Switzerland could be four to one. With the prospects of fewer people to care for the elderly in certain countries, those in these populations may be more likely to need paramedics or emergency medical technicians.
Conclusion
The compensation for emergency medical technicians will depend on the type of employer and work experience. Paramedics may earn more because of prior service and advanced skill and responsibility. With an older population and constant incidents that require EMTs and paramedics, job prospects should remain strong.
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