Occupation · SOC 29-2043
Paramedics
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.
Median wage
$58,410
$40,130–$82,420
Projected growth
+5.0%
Average growth
Annual openings
510
per year
Employed (US)
99,530
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
555 mapped
Core skills
Active ListeningCritical ThinkingReading ComprehensionSpeakingSocial PerceptivenessMonitoringJudgment and Decision MakingWriting
Knowledge areas
Medicine and DentistryCustomer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguageBiologyPsychology
Technology & tools
Operating system softwareMedical softwareInformation retrieval or search softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite software
Representative tasks
Evaluate the functioning of the neuromuscularskeletal system and the spine using systems of chiropraDiagnose health problems by reviewing patients' health and medical histories, questioning, observingPerform a series of manual adjustments to the spine or other articulations of the body to correct th
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Patient medical histories — collect and record accurately under direct supervision in a pre-hospital emergency setting.Vital signs and baseline assessments — obtain and document following established protocols on active emergency scenes.Neuromuscular and skeletal observations — recognize basic abnormalities using structured assessment checklists during supervised patient encounters.Active listening skills — apply when gathering patient complaints and symptom descriptions under the guidance of a senior paramedic.Medical terminology and documentation — use correctly when entering patient data into electronic medical software on shift.Patient health and medical history forms — review and interpret using standard intake procedures prior to initiating care.Diagnostic patterns — identify common presentations such as respiratory distress or altered consciousness following training protocols.Communication with patients and bystanders — conduct clearly and respectfully to gather situational information at emergency scenes.Operating system and medical software platforms — navigate basic functions to retrieve patient records and log incident reports.Safety and personal protective protocols — follow consistently when responding to emergency calls in high-risk field environments.
developing
Patient assessment findings — analyze and synthesize across neuromuscularskeletal, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems with reduced oversight in the field.Medical histories — obtain independently through structured questioning and observation during time-sensitive pre-hospital emergencies.Critical thinking frameworks — apply routinely to differentiate between possible diagnoses when evaluating patients with complex or overlapping symptoms.Treatment and intervention decisions — execute using clinical judgment aligned with established paramedic scope-of-practice guidelines.Electronic patient care reports — complete accurately and within required timeframes using medical documentation software after each call.Social perceptiveness — employ to detect subtle behavioral or emotional cues that inform patient assessment in diverse community settings.Spinal immobilization and musculoskeletal stabilization techniques — perform correctly using approved equipment during trauma responses.Medication administration protocols — follow with growing proficiency, monitoring patient responses and adjusting care within approved standing orders.Inter-agency communication — conduct clearly via radio and written handoff reports when transferring patient care to receiving hospital staff.Continuing education materials and clinical guidelines — read and comprehend independently to stay current with evolving pre-hospital care standards.
proficient
Complex patient diagnoses — formulate autonomously by integrating physical examination findings, medical histories, and diagnostic indicators across a full range of emergency presentations.Neuromuscular and skeletal system dysfunction — evaluate systematically and accurately in the field using advanced assessment techniques without supervisory input.Non-routine clinical scenarios — manage independently, applying inductive and deductive reasoning to determine safe and effective treatment pathways.Patient care documentation — produce comprehensive, legally defensible written reports in medical software following each call in compliance with regulatory standards.Critical interventions — perform under pressure across cardiac, trauma, obstetric, and pediatric emergencies with demonstrated autonomy and technical precision.Patient and family communication — deliver clear, empathetic explanations of conditions and treatment plans while managing emotional dynamics at emergency scenes.Quality assurance reviews — conduct on completed patient care reports, identifying documentation gaps and clinical decision points for improvement.Medical and biological knowledge — apply at an advanced level to anticipate disease progression and guide pre-hospital treatment priorities.Interdisciplinary coordination — lead seamlessly with hospital emergency teams, law enforcement, and fire services during multi-agency mass-casualty incidents.Technology platforms including spreadsheet and office suite software — use proficiently to compile call data, track trends, and prepare operational reports.
advanced
Clinical practice standards and paramedic protocols — develop and implement at the organizational level, shaping scope-of-practice policies across an EMS agency.Emerging paramedic professionals — mentor and evaluate systematically, designing structured field training programs aligned with national certification competencies.Patient outcome data — analyze across the organization using medical and spreadsheet software to identify systemic care gaps and drive evidence-based improvements.Organizational preparedness strategy — lead the design and execution of large-scale mass-casualty and disaster response plans for regional EMS systems.Continuing education and in-service training curricula — author and deliver using presentation and word processing software to elevate agency-wide clinical competency.Inter-agency relationships with hospitals, public health authorities, and regulatory bodies — cultivate and sustain to ensure coordinated, high-quality community emergency care.Complex ethical and clinical judgment dilemmas — resolve at the leadership level, setting precedents that guide frontline paramedic decision-making across the agency.Quality improvement and accreditation processes — oversee comprehensively, leveraging information retrieval software and data analytics to meet or exceed regulatory benchmarks.Workforce resilience and psychological safety — champion through policy development and peer support program leadership, addressing stress and burnout in high-stakes EMS environments.Strategic resource allocation including staffing, equipment, and technology — direct at the executive level to maximize pre-hospital care capacity across service delivery zones.
Also known as
15 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Emergency Medical TechnicianCritical Care ParamedicResponderFirst ResponderParamedic Specialist (PS)Healthcare SpecialistParamedicRescue WorkerEMT (Emergency Medical Technician)ED Paramedic (Emergency Department Paramedic)Critical Care Flight ParamedicEMT Paramedic (Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic)Flight ParamedicER Paramedic (Emergency Room Paramedic)Medical Technician