EMT questions

[MeganBrooke]

I am a 17 year old high school student who has the option to attend the WATC program at UAFS. I've narrowed my options down to the two career pathways I think I would be most interested in. An EMT being one of them. I do not know much about the salaries or pay of an EMT, and I have a daughter to support as well, so what I would really like to know how much an EMT could make and if there are benefits that come with being an EMT. All -CIVIL- answers will be accepted!

 

[STXmedic]

EMS is not lucrative if that's what you're looking for. As an EMT (and likely a paramedic), you will be working two or more jobs, or as much OT that you can get your hands on.

 

[JPINFV]

$10-15/hr basically, depending on location. Benefits? What benefits at most places.

 

[mycrofft]

ANd little consideration for your family life. ANd short career span due to stressors and potential for back injury.

 

[Chimpie]

Moved to the Employment section...

 

[Ewok Jerky]

whats your second career interest?

 

[emt11]

Because I really don't care if people know what I make, let's put it this way. With working a good amount of overtime, including pay periods with 120 hours(which is 3 weeks worth of 40 hours in 2 weeks), and claiming single 0 on my taxes with a wife and daughter of my own, I made a little above $27,000 last year after taxes with about 10,000 dollars worth of taxes taken out. I have close to 2 years at my company and I'm a NRAEMT and Georgia Advanced EMT.

In short, it's do-able, but it's not a great way to make a living unless you go Paramedic and even then it depends on where you work.

 

[SeeNoMore]

Depending on what you are trying to accomplish, becoming and EMT is not an awful idea. The school is short and very easy if you are willing to put in a little time. The "exciting" jobs are not always easy to come by at first, but working for a private company pays better than many entry level jobs and some jobs in hospitals pay halfway decent.

It may be a good start for you while you plan your next move. If you want to stay in medicine, I would personally suggest Nursing over becoming a Paramedic.


Best of luck.

 

[pcbguy]

The pay largely depends on where you work. As an EMT Basic I made $50k-$55k as a paramedic it was $60k-$65k. We had a few making over $70k but they had been there a while. We were hospital based but we have an ALS fire dept here that pays the same. I know some of the fire dept down south FL pay well.

Then there is always contracting after you get a few years experience. As a Basic you can make in the neighborhood of $90k and as a medic you are looking at $100k-$170k. Obviously this depends on where you contract and experience.

Welcome!!

 

[rails]

The pay largely depends on where you work. As an EMT Basic I made $50k-$55k as a paramedic it was $60k-$65k. We had a few making over $70k but they had been there a while. We were hospital based but we have an ALS fire dept here that pays the same. I know some of the fire dept down south FL pay well.

Then there is always contracting after you get a few years experience. As a Basic you can make in the neighborhood of $90k and as a medic you are looking at $100k-$170k. Obviously this depends on where you contract and experience.

Welcome!!

What state/area are you in? That's some pretty good pay.