U.S. faces shortage of EMTs, nearly one-third quit in 2021 (2024)

FAQs

U.S. faces shortage of EMTs, nearly one-third quit in 2021? ›

Low pay was the primary reason roughly one-third of all EMTs quit in 2021. The industry is having a hard time replacing them. A 2022 American Ambulance Association study of employee turnover found that 39% of part-time EMT and 55% of part-time paramedic positions went unfilled because of a lack of qualified candidates.

EMT shortage leads to longer response times

ATLANTA - There continues to be a shortage of paramedics and EMTs across the country, leading to longer response times to emergencies. According to the Journal of Emergency Medical Services, EMTs and paramedics face an annual turnover rate of 20%-30%.

Pay and benefits were a top concern of EMS workers who responded to the EMT association's 2022 workforce satisfaction study, but the inability to balance work demands with family responsibilities edged out pay as the primary reason people said they were leaving their jobs.

The certification required to become an EMT or paramedic is relatively minimal, which can also contribute to lower wages. It only takes 120 to 150 hours of training to become an EMT, and ambulances in rural communities are often staffed by volunteers, which depresses wages for those who do pursue the role as a career.

The 2021 Current Population Survey estimate for the number of employed EMTs and paramedics was 241,000.

A 2022 American Ambulance Association study of employee turnover found that 39% of part-time EMT and 55% of part-time paramedic positions went unfilled because of a lack of qualified candidates. "It's an absolute crisis.

EMS is often underfunded, which can lead to low wages and insufficient resources. This can make it difficult for agencies to attract and retain talented professionals. Another factor contributing to the staffing shortage is the high levels of stress and burnout that EMS workers often experience.

Many EMS agencies are run by local governments or private companies that have limited budgets. They may have to negotiate with insurance providers and government agencies to receive reimbursem*nt for their services. This can result in lower pay for paramedics and other EMS personnel.

EMTs in the U.S. receive an average salary of $35,830, while paramedics earn an average salary of $46,100. The primary reason for the salary difference between EMTs and paramedics is the education requirements and job responsibilities. While both jobs provide emergency care to patients, the EMT vs.

The steps you'll take to become a paramedic are similar to an EMT, except you'll need to enroll in further training and gain additional training and licensure. A paramedic is the highest level of EMT. They first need training to become and EMT and then do more advanced training to qualify as a paramedic.

Where is EMT highest paid? ›

West Virginia: Paramedics in West Virginia earn an average salary of $29,920, making it the lowest-paying state for this profession. Alabama: With an average paramedic salary of $30,240, Alabama ranks second among the lowest-paying states.

Emergency Medical Technician Salary by States in the U.S.

Hawaii, with EMT salaries averaging $55,600, is the highest-paying state for Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). At $28,030, Alabama is $27,570 lower than the Hawaii average.

Demographic characteristics of EMTs and paramedics. There was minimal change in age of career EMTs and paramedics over time; in 2011, the mean age was 36 years versus 35 years in 2019 (Table 1).

Nearly two-thirds (65%, n = 7,262) of paramedic students attended high-performing programs while this figure was 59% (n = 40,237) for EMT students. The mean first-time pass rate was 69% for paramedic students and 64% for EMT students, and cumulative third-attempt pass rate as 83% for paramedics and 75% for EMTs.

When transporting a patient in an ambulance, one EMT or paramedic may drive the ambulance while another monitors the patient's vital signs and provides emergency medical care. Some paramedics work as part of a helicopter's or an airplane's flight crew to transport critically ill or injured patients to a hospital.

You can easily get a job as a basic EMT (EMT-B) without any experience or qualifications. The EMT basic program is an entry-level training program that teaches you basic emergency medicine skills through a certification process and a mentorship with a paramedic or an EMT-I in an ambulance or an emergency department.

Highest Paying States for Emergency Medical Technician

Hawaii tops our list of the highest-paying states for EMTs, with receiving $55,600 per year on average. Following it is Alaska, at $51,330, and Maryland at $50,770. District of Columbia with an average EMT salary of $48,500.