Interesting Map

[Carlos Danger]

Look at Washington state on the map.

http://mentalfloss.com/article/7109...n=KWP&kwp_0=392982&kwp_4=1469114&kwp_1=642591

 

[NPO]

I'm assuming the map author did little research and actually meant paramedics. Washington does have a higher salary for paramedics than many other states.

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[WyMedic]

Isn't Tacoma Washington like one of the highest paid fire/EMS depts in the county?

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[E tank]

Makes you wonder how much the large metropolitan area skews the data for the whole state. Seattle v. Spokane v. the Tri-Cities etc.

 

[NomadicMedic]

Having worked there, I can tell you that it's highly disproportionate.

 

[joshrunkle35]

The other thing that skews the data is that the majority of EMT's make less than McDonalds workers.

ETA: And, I do believe that Paramedics in Washington have training towards the higher end of hours for initial training. NREMT cites paramedic training as 1,000-14,000 hours depending on the state, and I believe that I one read that the higher end initial training (14,000 hours) was found somewhere in Washington state. Meaning: pay that is disproportionate with the rest of the country may still be commensurate with initial investment of training.



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[Carlos Danger]

The other thing that skews the data is that the majority of EMT's make less than McDonalds workers.

Well, yeah. I imagine this data probably includes paramedics, though.

 

[NomadicMedic]

Well, yeah. I imagine this data probably includes paramedics, though.

Fire paramedics in Western Washington regularly make upward of 60k without overtime, while medics in Yakima make 14 dollars an hour after several years of experience.

 

[DrParasite]

Isn't Tacoma Washington like one of the highest paid fire/EMS depts in the county?

I thought Kings County paramedics gets paid an absurdly high starting wage, at least compared to the rest of the US

 

[Carlos Danger]

I thought Kings County paramedics gets paid an absurdly high starting wage, at least compared to the rest of the US

That is actually what the map is based on, I think. It is showing the occupation in each state that makes the most money as compared to the national average for that occupation.

It doesn't compare state to state. So medics in California, for instance, may make even more as compared to the national average than medics in Washington do. But the disparity for other occupations in California is even higher than for medics.

 

[NomadicMedic]

I thought Kings County paramedics gets paid an absurdly high starting wage, at least compared to the rest of the US

They don't get an absurdly high wage, but one that is fair, based on the cost of living. @FLMedic311 could shed some light on that.

It's very expensive to live in Seattle. Even in the outlying areas, prices are high.

 

[FLMedic311]

Is our wage absurd... well I can imagine that if you just looked at my hourly wage and nothing else then you would probably say yes. But as @NomadicMedic pointed out the average price per sqft for property is like $310 meaning you will pay $310K for a 1000sqft property, in a average location. So in that context no it isn't absurd. But we do get paid well and considering our other benefits and retirement, it is pretty amazing. So I guess the bottom line is.. We do alright..

 

[DrParasite]

They don't get an absurdly high wage, but one that is fair, based on the cost of living. @FLMedic311 could shed some light on that.

It's very expensive to live in Seattle. Even in the outlying areas, prices are high.

Are you saying Seattle has a higher cost of living than NYC? Because I know how expensive it is to live in New York, and their medics get paid peanuts.

Is our wage absurd... well I can imagine that if you just looked at my hourly wage and nothing else then you would probably say yes. But as @NomadicMedic pointed out the average price per sqft for property is like $310 meaning you will pay $310K for a 1000sqft property, in a average location.

just for comparison, the price per sq foot in NYC/Manhattan is $1,759

Not saying you shouldn't get paid well, but some Washington EMS agencies are paid really well, at least compared to others in the state; and compared to the cost of living, they get paid well (especially considering there are EMTs making minimum wage and paramedics who are eligible for food stamps in some states.

BTW, just because you work in an expensive area, doesn't mean you have to live there

 

[EpiEMS]

They actually get paid about median income for King County. It's good to see people getting paid fairly for their skills.

BTW, just because you work in an expensive area, doesn't mean you have to live there

Speaking of which...I'd be curious to see if anybody has figures on where NYC EMS providers live. My guess is outer boroughs and northern suburbs?

 

[Grozler]

Speaking of which...I'd be curious to see if anybody has figures on where NYC EMS providers live. My guess is outer boroughs and northern suburbs?

No hard figures but first hand knowledge of NYC EMS providers. Yes, no one lives in Manhattan. Outer boroughs, suburbs, New Jersey, CT, PA. And as a former resident in western Washington, I can tell you the real estate prices aren't as bad as the greater NYC area it's but getting close. The real difference is property taxes. My parents pay $3000/year for a middle of the road house close enough to Seattle. I'm paying well over $10k/year in Westchester for a similar place. Gotta love that overtime.

 

[DrParasite]

They actually get paid about median income for King County. It's good to see people getting paid fairly for their skills.

which is awesome

Speaking of which...I'd be curious to see if anybody has figures on where NYC EMS providers live. My guess is outer boroughs and northern suburbs?

Most live on long island, or NJ, or the counties surrounding NYC (rockland, westchester, maybe orange). some live in the outer boroughs, but usually in a house or apartment that is rent controlled and was passed down through generations.

Most don't live in the 5 boroughs and if they do, they aren't in one of the luxury units (usually some rathole apartment with no parking), unless it was a unit that was passed down. There are, of course some exceptions (staten island is typically the cheapest borough to live in and not be in too ****ty of an area)

most of the people I know who aren't from NYC and get a job in NYC don't live in NYC.

 

[EpiEMS]

Outer boroughs, suburbs, New Jersey, CT, PA.

Sounds sensible to me. I would love to live in Dutchess County, but the trains are just too slow.

I'm paying well over $10k/year in Westchester for a similar place.

Westchester property taxes are just nuts...CT is so much better, but with Metro North as slow as it is, well, you know...

most of the people I know who aren't from NYC and get a job in NYC don't live in NYC.

I think this sounds about right - I think this is probably true in every industry, honestly.

 

[FLMedic311]

Are you saying Seattle has a higher cost of living than NYC? Because I know how expensive it is to live in New York, and their medics get paid peanuts.
just for comparison, the price per sq foot in NYC/Manhattan is $1,759

So upon review, no I am not implying that...I never even mentioned NYC as a matter of fact

Not saying you shouldn't get paid well, but some Washington EMS agencies are paid really well, at least compared to others in the state; and compared to the cost of living, they get paid well (especially considering there are EMTs making minimum wage and paramedics who are eligible for food stamps in some states.

I agree, the average Paramedic/EMT's income is in general deplorable. But as you are all well aware there a numerous places, even outside of Washington where you can make a reasonable living.. So go forth and find your dream job!!

BTW, just because you work in an expensive area, doesn't mean you have to live there

Thus I live outside King County!

 

[DrParasite]

So upon review, no I am not implying that...I never even mentioned NYC as a matter of fact

This is true, you didn't. However you did mention that Seattle has a high cost of living, hence the high salaries.... I was just saying that other places that have high costs of living don't give higher salaries for EMS, using NYC as the example.

I have heard a lot of good things about the KC Medic 1 program (and some things that make me not want to even consider it), but all my job searching has shown me is that there is no utopian EMS system, where you get paid well, don't have to work copious amounts of OT to live comfortably, and see enough sick patients to maintain competencies.

and I have found my dream job; it has nothing to do with being on an ambulance

I think this sounds about right - I think this is probably true in every industry, honestly.

TBH, originally I specified EMS, but changed it to every industry (my father has commuted from NJ to midtown manhattan for the better part of 35 years).

But I did know one doctor who lived in Manhattan and commuted to Paterson NJ for work.......

 

[EpiEMS]

TBH, originally I specified EMS, but changed it to every industry (my father has commuted from NJ to midtown manhattan for the better part of 35 years).

But I did know one doctor who lived in Manhattan and commuted to Paterson NJ for work.......

I remember for a while in the mid-aughts that folks were reverse commuting from NYC to Stamford and Greenwich and White Plains, but that was a temporary thing, from what I've heard.