LonghornMedic
Forum Lieutenant
- 162
- 0
- 0
According to the ER Tech I spoke to yesterday, ARM in Sonoma County is starting Paramedics out at around $18hr. Which is around 32K a year. Which doesn't make since because I heard EMT-B is making about 40K year. So I don't know what to believe.
He also said he only has his EMT-B and as an ER Tech he makes $29hr.
There's no way he's making $29 an hour as an ER Tech. He's full of crap. ER Nurses with experience are making that kind of money, but not a Tech.
I have a friend I used to work with who moved to CA and works for AMR in Contra Costa County. He's been a Paramedic for 20+ years. He's making around $55,000-60,000 a year. But he said EMT-Basics are making less than $30,000 a year. It's not impossible for a Basic to make $40,000. But if they are, they have either been with their company for decades, work a ton of OT or are lying through their teeth to impress you.
Bottom line is you are not going to make much money as a EMT Basic in California or anywhere else. There are so many private and public schools pumping them out that the market is saturated. The more schooling you have, the better your chances of employment and higher pay. EMT Intermediates(in states that have them) make more than EMT-Basics and Paramedics make more than EMT-I's. If someone is committed to EMS, go to Paramedic school. You will make 2-3 times more money as a Basic and will always be in demand. With some field experience, you can pretty much go anywhere in the U.S. and find a good paying job.
My final piece of advice. Go work for either a fire department or a 3rd service. You will earn more money, have better benefits, have a better retirement and have nicer equipment. Private ambulance companies are great to get that initial experience, but they will chew you up and spit you out over a career.