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Emergency Medical Technician

💰 Earn $40K-$58K

📚 Vocational Training

⏱️ 12–24 Month Training

📈 5.1% Job Growth

Save lives by providing critical care in emergency situations.
Make a real difference by ensuring swift medical response and transport.
Stay on the cutting edge with ongoing training and certifications.

What Emergency Medical Technicians DoAssess injuries and illnesses and administer basic emergency medical care. May transport injured or sick persons to medical facilities.

Administer first aid treatment or life support care to sick or injured persons in prehospital settings.
Assess nature and extent of illness or injury to establish and prioritize medical procedures.
Attend training classes to maintain certification licensure, keep abreast of new developments in the field, or maintain existing knowledge.
Comfort and reassure patients.
Communicate with dispatchers or treatment center personnel to provide information about situation, to arrange reception of victims, or to receive instructions for further treatment.

Emergency Medical Technicians Education, Salary, and Growth

Minimum EducationVocational Training

Career ProspectsExcellent (Increasing by 5% or more)

Training Time1 to 2 years

Job Openings14,100 Annually

Median Earnings

$45,680 in California

$41,340 Nationally

$25K

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Only you can decide how much you need to earn — but knowing what it actually costs to live in your area can help. The Family Budget Calculator can guide you.

Real Talk Reel

We've curated a playlist for you to get a glimpse into a day in the life of this career.

@xoxlay

Is This Career Right For You?

YOU Like

Relating with or serving others
Using data or completing tasks
Working with my hands

you value

Accomplishing things
Having support
Personal relationships

you are skilled in

Speaking
Critical Thinking
Active Listening
Social Perceptiveness
Service Orientation

Go Deeper: Emergency Medical Technicians Explained

Emergency Medical TechnicianExplore career pathways, key skills, and what each role has to offer.

How Do You Train for This Career?

Learn about the education and training paths that can lead to this career — and what to expect from each one.

Associate's DegreeAn associate's degree typically provides graduates with foundational knowledge and skills for entry-level jobs in the graduate's industry, or serves as a stepping stone towards further education.

🎓 College

⏱️ Finish in 2-3 years

Vocational SchoolA vocational school typically equips students with specialized skills and practical training in specific trades or occupations, enhancing their employability and providing direct pathways to relevant careers.

🎓 Skills-Focused

⏱️ Finish in 6 months - 2 years

Bachelor's DegreeA bachelor's degree typically results in increased knowledge about a variety of academic subjects, specialized knowledge in a focused field of study, and is considered the foundational qualification for many careers.

🎓 College

⏱️ Finish in 4-5+ years

Workforce Development ProgramA workforce development program typically enhances participants' opportunities to succeed in the workforce through employment skill-building, career counseling, connections to employers, and pathways to high-demand and high-wage jobs.

🎓 Skills-Focused

⏱️ Finish in 6 months - 2 years

Technology BootcampA technology bootcamp typically offers intensive training in specific tech skills, preparing participants for entry-level roles in the tech industry in a relatively short period of time.

🎓 Skills-Focused

⏱️ Finish in Less than a year

ApprenticeshipAn apprenticeship typically offers a combination of hands-on training and classroom instruction, leading to practical skills, industry-specific knowledge, and the potential for long-term employment in a specific trade or profession.

🎓 Paid Work

⏱️ Finish in 2-5 years

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