How Long Does It Take to Become a Paramedic? + Career Guide

Paramedics are highly-trained medical professionals in the field of emergency medical services (EMS) who provide emergency care to patients in ambulances and as they enter hospitals. To be qualified for these life-saving responsibilities, you must undergo anywhere from six months to two years of training, depending on your qualifications, when beginning a paramedic program. 

A career as a paramedic can be highly rewarding, but it also requires significant training, preparation, and responsibility. Learn more about the profession, find out how long it will take you to join it, and what you need to do to become a paramedic.

Paramedics: salary, job outlook, and skills

Paramedics and other EMS professionals are critical to the health care system. Below, you’ll find the typical salary you can expect from joining the profession and the job outlook for the field.

Paramedic salary

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics [1], the median annual wage for EMTs and paramedics combined was $44,780 in 2023. However, Glassdoor puts the average annual salary for paramedics at $70,949 as of November 2024 [2]. Your geographic location, experience level, and employer will likely influence your salary as a paramedic.

Paramedic job outlook

The job outlook for both paramedics and the health care field is positive. 

According to the BLS, the number of EMTs and paramedics is projected to grow by 6 percent between 2023 and 2033, with approximately 19,200 new job openings yearly [1]. During that same period, the BLS also projects the health care field to grow faster than the average, with approximately 1.9 million new job openings yearly [3].

What’s the difference between a paramedic and EMT?  

When emergency medical services are called, paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) will likely be the first to appear on the scene. Watching them work from behind yellow caution tape, you might first assume the two positions are the same: both provide patient care, both transport patients to ambulances, and both can quickly diagnose common medical problems. 

However, paramedics are actually more highly-trained medical professionals. While EMTs are equipped to provide CPR, oxygen, and basic patient care, paramedics can also administer medicine and drugs, insert IV lines, perform intubations, and splint broken bones.

Read more: EMT vs. Paramedic: What’s the Difference?

How long does it take to become a paramedic?

Depending on your current qualifications and experience, becoming a paramedic can take anywhere from six months to two years. 

To become a paramedic, you must first become an EMT, complete a paramedic training program provided by an accredited institution (often lasting between 1,200 and 1,800 hours), pass a certification exam, and be licensed by the state in which you practice. 

Common factors impacting time to completion

Several common factors could impact how long it takes you to become a paramedic. These include: 

1. Your current qualifications

Before you can become a paramedic, you must be an EMT. If you aren’t currently an EMT, then you will have to undergo training to become one. 

According to the Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT), three levels of EMT exist: EMTs, Advanced EMTs (AEMTs), and paramedics. Sometimes, these are called EMT-Basic (EMT-B), EMT-Intermediate (EMT-I), and EMT-Paramedic (EMT-P). Your current qualification level, consequently, will likely impact how long it takes you to join the highest EMT rank as a paramedic.

What is EMS?

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is the part of the health care system designed to respond to people in life-threatening situations. Members of EMS include 911 dispatchers, doctors, emergency medical responders, emergency medical technicians, and paramedics who may receive a salary for their work or volunteer their services, depending on the area.

2. State requirements

Each state has its requirements that must be fulfilled for you to become a paramedic. As a result, the time it will take you to complete a paramedic program could be greatly impacted by the requirements set by the state where you wish to practice.

3. Personal resources

The time and money you have available to complete the required training will inevitably impact how long it takes you to become a paramedic. While some individuals may be able to devote a significant amount of time to study in a relatively accelerated program, others might have to attend a much longer program that fits their current work schedule.

4. Paramedic school requirements and structure

All paramedic schooling will prepare you for a career in the profession, but the path to that career can vary between programs. 

Some programs might require more hands-on training than others. For instance, associate degree programs offered by community colleges usually require two years of study rather than the shorter amount of time required by programs designed for those already working as EMTs. 

The exact time it takes you to become a paramedic will be greatly influenced by the program you choose. Make sure to note each program’s timeline when comparing your options.

Start studying to prepare for paramedic school. 

Paramedics work in emergencies to provide advanced life support and care to patients in need. That responsibility not only requires the ability to work under pressure but also deep knowledge of medicine, anatomy, and emergency care protocol. 

Start your career journey today with a flexible, online course. The University of Michigan’s Anatomy Specialization teaches the foundations of human anatomy, including the major organs, their functions, and relationships with the body. The University of Colorado’s Become an EMT Specialization equips course takers with the skills needed to provide first responder emergency medical care.