EMT paramedic in the field

EMT / Paramedic Licensing Guide

State-by-state licensing requirements, exams, fees, and renewal rules for emt / paramedics across all 50 states.

Career path

EMT-Basic → Advanced EMT → Paramedic

Salary overview

StageTypical rangeNational median
Apprentice$14–$18/hr—
Journeyman$17–$28/hr$36,680/yr
Master / Contractor$28–$50/hrHigher by 20–50%

Union apprenticeship

The IAFF (International Association of Fire Fighters) or local EMS unions offers a structured apprenticeship through the IAFF membership for fire-based EMS; local EMS union for municipal services. Programs are typically tuition-free and pay wages from day one. Learn more →

Choose your state — 50 guides available
Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

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