Why I did NOT become an EMT...

[TropicalJosiah]

Hello Community!

I became a user some (long) time ago when I was attending my EMT classes. I never became an EMT professionally.

Where I live in Colorado, the ambulance service here is AMR. They pay roughly $12/hour for the area.

I got a job as a private gardener for $18.50/hour with exceptional benefits and perks.

I completed my EMT training. I technically *am* an EMT. I carry an extensive medical kit and stop at accidents, help homeless, whatever.

But really? $12/hour?! That's a joke.

Food for thought to the community of EMS. Kudo's to all of you who do a job that should pay far more, for far less then you deserve.

 

[Achilles]

Hello Community!

I became a user some (long) time ago when I was attending my EMT classes. I never became an EMT professionally.

Where I live in Colorado, the ambulance service here is AMR. They pay roughly $12/hour for the area.

I got a job as a private gardener for $18.50/hour with exceptional benefits and perks.

I completed my EMT training. I technically *am* an EMT. I carry an extensive medical kit and stop at accidents, help homeless, whatever.

But really? $12/hour?! That's a joke.

Food for thought to the community of EMS. Kudo's to all of you who do a job that should pay far more, for far less then you deserve.

You know what, I'd do this job for free, I enjoy helping people. It's not about the money. If I didn't have to pay for food and a house I would work for free or a 1$ a year. If you get a job just for money - chances are you will burn out quickly.
So what if your salary is 50 grand or 500 grand it's just money. You won't have any of it when you die. There are far more important things than money.

 

[toyskater86]

its $8.00 an hour here in Los Angeles for private companies that respond to 911 calls and between $8.00-11.00 for interfacility transports. $12.50 would be considered "paramedic" or top EMT pay around here.

 

[DesertMedic66]

its $8.00 an hour here in Los Angeles for private companies that respond to 911 calls and between $8.00-11.00 for interfacility transports. $12.50 would be considered "paramedic" or top EMT pay around here.

Then just go into Riverside and San Bernardino counties where the starting pay for an EMT on a 911 ambulance is $12.33 per hour.

 

[TropicalJosiah]

So what if your salary is 50 grand or 500 grand it's just money. You won't have any of it when you die. There are far more important things than money.

WOW.

Do you make that level of false assumptions out on a call?

It's like I'm hording my money in a big ol pile. haha what's wrong with you?
Money pays for quality of life.

You can try and argue that quality of life is great on $20,000/year salary (That's $12/hour full time) in America. But everyone knows your full of it if you do.

It's not about the money. It's about the value of my time. It's about having the free time because I make more. It's about how EMS is under paid.

I'm sure everyone really enjoys you trying to argue that they aren't under paid... ha!

Then just go into Riverside and San Bernardino counties where the starting pay for an EMT on a 911 ambulance is $12.33 per hour.

I grew up in So Cal. You really going to live anywhere even remotely decent on that wage? Riverside? How's the traffic on the 91 now a days?

EG I rent my house in Orange for triple what I pay for rent in CO. And my house in CO is twice as big on 10x the land.

 

[Achilles]

WOW.

Do you make that level of false assumptions out on a call?

It's like I'm hording my money in a big ol pile. haha what's wrong with you?
Money pays for quality of life.

You can try and argue that quality of life is great on $20,000/year salary (That's $12/hour full time) in America. But everyone knows your full of it if you do.



I'm sure everyone really enjoys you trying to argue that they aren't under paid... ha!



.

Did I mention anything about being underpaid? I don't believe I did. If you implied it that way, you're wrong, and that's your problem. Someone who is unemployed- 20,000 a year is pretty good. What you set your standard as for quality of life is different from what the rest of the world does.

 

[STXmedic]

If you wanted to do EMS, the money is there. You just might have to do a little work to get to it and not settle for the measly $12/hr. I'm making excellent money right now and loving quality of life, without working almost any OT. But there have been plenty of discussions on that that you're more than welcome to look for if you desire.

 

[Aidey]

It is fairly well known that EMT pay is not very good. This is not a field you get into if you want to get rich. EMTs do not have a very good argument for increasing their pay. If you don't think you can support yourself on an EMTs pay you should probably rethink your career choices.

 

[firecoins]

Is the gardening company hiring?

 

[DesertMedic66]

WOW.
I grew up in So Cal. You really going to live anywhere even remotely decent on that wage? Riverside? How's the traffic on the 91 now a days?

EG I rent my house in Orange for triple what I pay for rent in CO. And my house in CO is twice as big on 10x the land.

I don't live in the city of riverside or work in the city so I never have to see the 91. The only freeway I have to deal with is the I-10, which in my area very rarely gets any traffic.

And I know a lot of EMTs who are living quite decently (own a 2 story home, sports cars, pools, etc) in Riverside county. Their husbands and wife's are also EMTs or Medics (not Fire related in anyway).

 

[Handsome Robb]

At the end of the day you're still a gardener. Yep, I said it. Hey, as long as you enjoy your job that's all that really matters.

How's that saying go? "Someone who enjoys their job never works a day in their life" or something of the sort.

As an intermediate I made 12/hr and made more than 20k a year after taxes. You're not accounting for forced OT of 4x12s that many companies run. How about the benefits package and what it's worth? Not all companies have great benefits but I know with my salary then you add the benefits on top I'm doing pretty well for myself as a 23 year old. If you intend to spend your career in EMS private companies are only a way to get your foot in the door and to build experience and a resume.

 

[Joe]

I do think you hit the nail on the head about benefits and all the ot. I have my kaiser benefits paid for 100% not out of my pocket. Dont see too many jobs like that anymore. Ill take my 40k or so a year and love my job rather than 100k and be miserable!

 

[JPINFV]

At the end of the day you're still a gardener. Yep, I said it. Hey, as long as you enjoy your job that's all that really matters.

On the other hand, people who go into fields simply because of the title are generally a-holes.

 

[Achilles]

At the end of the day you're still a gardener. Yep, I said it. Hey, as long as you enjoy your job that's all that really matters.

How's that saying go? "Someone who enjoys their job never works a day in their life" or something of the sort.

"Find a job you love and you'll never work another day in your life" - Confucius
I believe most people would recognize what the point you are trying to get across and your quote is acceptable in my book.

 

[Sublime]

You know what, I'd do this job for free, I enjoy helping people. It's not about the money. If I didn't have to pay for food and a house I would work for free or a 1$ a year. If you get a job just for money - chances are you will burn out quickly.
So what if your salary is 50 grand or 500 grand it's just money. You won't have any of it when you die. There are far more important things than money.

I used to have a similar mind set when I was going through EMT school / brand new. Not saying you are new or anything... that's just when I felt that way. Somewhere along the lines my attitude changed. Probably when I had a daughter and realized that my weak 11-12/hr wasn't enough to live comfortably.

Now I'm selling out and trying to figure out how to do nursing school while working full time as a paramedic... so I can actually make a decent check w/o the OT.

At the end of the day you're still a gardener.

Low blow

 

[Handsome Robb]

I do think you hit the nail on the head about benefits and all the ot. I have my kaiser benefits paid for 100% not out of my pocket. Dont see too many jobs like that anymore. Ill take my 40k or so a year and love my job rather than 100k and be miserable!

Same here. I pay 9$ a month have an additional 150k of life insurance, the rest is free. Ours aren't Kaiser but it's a awesome benefits package.

On the other hand, people who go into fields simply because of the title are generally a-holes.

Generally, sure. I didn't become a Paramedic because of the title if that's what you're implying.

"Find a job you love and you'll never work another day in your life" - Confucius
I believe most people would recognize what the point you are trying to get across and your quote is acceptable in my book.

Thank you sir!

Low blow

Yep. Don't come in hot and not expect it to get thrown right back at you.

 

[ffemt8978]

Yep. Don't come in hot and not expect it to get thrown right back at you.

There's a right way and wrong way to do it. h34r:

 

[Handsome Robb]

There's a right way and wrong way to do it. h34r:

Meh, it's all a matter of perception

 

[Youngin]

Wait...so you're telling me that my 6-month trade school education isn't going to make me rich?

:-(

 

[eprex]

I spent 4 years getting a BS with a concentration in Neuroscience, received several honors while TA'ing, doing research, volunteering, and being an RA for 30 students.

That $12 an hour sure beats my $0 an hour I make from that job I can't get.

But no, EMT is not a great idea as a full-time career. Be prepared to have supplemental income. That's why most folks move on to paramedic. That way they can make a slightly greater modicum of money!