Rescue Squad Salaries

Salary

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that emergency medical technicians and paramedics earned an annual average salary of $33,000 in 2010. The lowest annual salaries were $19,710 and the highest annual salaries were $51,370. Salaries are higher in larger metropolitan areas and in certain states. Areas for advancement with higher wages include supervisors, operations managers or executive directors. Many rural areas with very small populations have volunteer rescue squads, as well as fire fighters.

Emergency technicians and paramedics preparation involves formal emergency medical technician training after high school. Three levels of training prepare students for state licensing: EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate and Paramedic. Basic training includes emergency skills, as well as techniques for dealing with bleeding and fractures. Intermediate training includes advanced skills, such as administering intravenous fluids and medications. Paramedic training includes up to two years of training in anatomy, physiology and advanced medical skills.

States with the highest salaries for emergency medical technicians and paramedics in 2010 included District of Columbia, Alaska, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington, with average annual salaries between $44,000 and $50,000. Metropolitan areas with the highest salaries included Tacoma, Washington, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho and Anchorage, Alaska, with annual salaries between $52,000 and $66,000.

The BLS reports that employment for EMTs and paramedics is good and jobs are expected to grow at a rate of 9 percent between 2008 and 2018. Stresses on rescue personnel are increasing due to an aging population and overcrowding of emergency rooms, requiring more time per patient before hospital admission. Job prospects are favorable, although turnover due to job stress and moderate pay adds to the stress factors weighing on working rescue personnel.

Occupations related to emergency medical technicians and paramedics include fire fighters, physician assistants and nurses. Rescue squad personnel may continue their training and education and move into these related areas. The BLS reports that fire fighters earned average annual salaries of $47,730 in 2010; physician assistants earned $86,410 per year; and registered nurses earned $64,690 annually.