How Much Does a Primary Care Paramedic Make in 2025?
A primary care paramedic provides emergency life support to ill or injured patients. They assess condition, prioritize care, and perform procedures such as administering oxygen, IV fluids, medications, and antiseptics. Paramedics stabilize patients during transportation and update doctors and other medical professionals upon transfer.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also projects a 6% growth in emergency medical technician (EMT) and emergency medical responder roles, including paramedics, from 2023 to 2033.
Salaries for primary care paramedics remain competitive in 2025. Salary.com reported that the average primary care paramedic earns $48,173 per year and $23 per hour, as of August 28, 2025. Primary care paramedic pay can vary based on experience, industry, location, and certifications, which we'll cover later in this salary guide.
What is the Average Primary Care Paramedics's Salary?
The average primary care paramedic salary in the United States is $48,173 per year, as of August 28, 2025. For the hourly wage, primary care paramedics have an average salary of $23 per hour, with rates ranging from $21 to $26 per hour.
2025 Primary Care Paramedic Average Salary: $48,173 per year ($23 per hour)
Meanwhile, the average weekly and monthly salaries for primary care paramedics are $926 and $4,041, respectively.
What is the Pay Range for a Primary Care Paramedic?
According to a recent Salary.com report, the salary range for a primary care paramedic starts at $39,251 and can reach as high as $58,069 per year, with most earnings falling between $43,503 and $53,353 per year.
Primary Care Paramedic Salary Range: $39,251 to $58,069 per year ($19 to $28 per hour)
| Percentile | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $19 | $755 | $3,271 | $39,251 |
| 25th Percentile | $21 | $837 | $3,625 | $43,503 |
| 50th (Median) | $23 | $926 | $4,014 | $48,173 |
| 75th Percentile | $26 | $1,026 | $4,446 | $53,353 |
| 90th Percentile | $28 | $1,117 | $4,839 | $58,069 |
However, as mentioned earlier, the salary range for primary care paramedics can vary based on factors like education, experience, and location.
Primary Care Paramedic Salary Factors
Several factors affect a primary care paramedic's salary, including degree requirements, competency, location, experience, and skills. Below, we break down each factor to explain how it influences earnings.
Years of Experience
Paramedics may spend long hours on calls, but those who are qualified and gain further graduate-level education can pursue advanced roles. Many advances into supervisory positions, train new recruits, or even transition into related healthcare fields or a wider range.
The average salary for a primary care paramedic, based on years of experience, ranges from $46,660 per year for entry-level to $50,512 per year for those with over eight years of experience.
| Level | Years of Experience | Average Salary (Per Year) |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level Primary Care Paramedic | < 1 year | $46,660 |
| Intermediate Level Primary Care Paramedic | 1-2 years | $47,008 |
| Senior Level Primary Care Paramedic | 2-4 years | $48,580 |
| Specialist Level Primary Care Paramedic | 5-8 years | $50,126 |
| Expert Level Primary Care Paramedic | 8+ years | $50,512 |
Place of Work
According to BLS, paramedics often respond to emergencies alongside fire departments, police officers, firefighters, and ambulance drivers. They are also supported by dispatchers and police departments who send them to scenes of injuries, heart attacks, and cases involving the sick. In 2024, BLS projected that those who worked in local government, excluding education and hospitals, earned about $59,840.
| Place of Work | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | $59,840 |
| Offices of physicians | $59,370 |
| General medical and surgical hospitals; private | $58,780 |
| Ambulance services | $57,720 |
| General medical and surgical hospitals; local | $52,990 |
Based on the data, primary care paramedics in general medical and surgical hospitals earn the least, while those working for the local government usually earn more. Salaries vary depending on the industry.
Skill Set
Primary care paramedics with in-demand skills can increase their salaries. Along with administering first aid, they are often trained to interpret electrocardiograms, provide treatment, and offer emotional support to patients. These specialized abilities require strong physical strength and the ability to operate life-saving equipment under pressure. Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report showed that program managers with healthcare data privacy and protection skills can earn 8.63% more than those without.
The duties of paramedics extend beyond medical care-they must treat patients, ensure safe transfer to a facility, and sometimes lead a team during emergencies. They work under the supervision of higher-ranking medical staff but also hold the responsibility of stabilizing patients while families wait, anxious for updates, if any.
According to the same report, a primary care paramedic with patient safety skills is more likely to experience a salary increase of 8.14%, followed by skills like patient chart reading and interpretation and nursing code of ethics
| Skill | Demand | Salary Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Data Privacy and Protection | 10.70% | +8.63% |
| Patient Safety | 10.60% | +8.14% |
| Patient Chart Reading and Interpretation | 10.30% | +7.31% |
| Nursing Code of Ethics | 10.60% | +7.15% |
| Patient Education | 10.70% | +6.91% |
| Pain Management | 10.30% | +6.69% |
Primary Care Paramedic Salary by City and State
The location where a primary care paramedic works can affect their salary. This information is useful for tracking salary trends, negotiating pay, or planning a career in the field.
Highest Paying States for Primary Care Paramedic
Based on Salary.com pay data, the District of Columbia offers the highest average salary for primary care paramedics in the United States, at $53,333 per year, followed by California at $53,133.
District of Columbia: $53,333 ($26 per hour)
California: $53,133 ($26 per hour)
Massachusetts: $52,423 ($25 per hour)
Alaska: $52,143 ($25 per hour)
Washington: $52,233 ($25 per hour)
Primary Care Paramedic Salary by State/Territory
| State/Territory | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $52,143 |
| Alabama | $44,263 |
| Arkansas | $43,523 |
| Arizona | $46,943 |
| California | $53,133 |
| Colorado | $49,153 |
| Connecticut | $51,483 |
| District of Columbia | $53,333 |
| Delaware | $48,783 |
| Florida | $45,583 |
| Georgia | $46,463 |
| Hawaii | $50,353 |
| Iowa | $46,103 |
| Idaho | $44,973 |
| Illinois | $49,103 |
| Indiana | $46,243 |
| Kansas | $45,873 |
| Kentucky | $45,333 |
| Louisiana | $45,803 |
| Massachusetts | $52,423 |
| Maryland | $49,673 |
| Maine | $46,973 |
| Michigan | $47,443 |
| Minnesota | $49,293 |
| Missouri | $45,773 |
| Mississippi | $42,963 |
| Montana | $45,483 |
| North Carolina | $45,783 |
| North Dakota | $47,583 |
| Nebraska | $45,383 |
| New Hampshire | $48,703 |
| New Jersey | $52,213 |
| New Mexico | $44,623 |
| Nevada | $47,683 |
| New York | $51,213 |
| Ohio | $46,913 |
| Oklahoma | $44,543 |
| Oregon | $48,923 |
| Pennsylvania | $47,963 |
| Rhode Island | $49,943 |
| South Carolina | $45,143 |
| South Dakota | $43,783 |
| Tennessee | $45,023 |
| Texas | $46,993 |
| Utah | $46,133 |
| Virginia | $48,513 |
| Vermont | $47,283 |
| Washington | $52,233 |
| Wisconsin | $47,393 |
| West Virginia | $43,383 |
| Wyoming | $46,203 |
Highest Paying Cities for Primary Care Paramedic
Salary.com data shows that San Jose, California, offers the highest pay for primary care paramedics at $60,763 per year or $29 per hour. The other top highest-paying cities for primary care paramedics are:
San Jose, California: $60,763 ($29 per hour)
San Francisco, California: $60,163 ($29 per hour)
Oakland, California: $58,823 ($28 per hour)
New York, New York: $55,823 ($27 per hour)
Queens Village, New York: $55,463 ($27 per hour)
Paramus, New Jersey: $55,083 ($26 per hour)
Ways to Increase Your Salary as a Primary Care Paramedic
Primary care paramedics can increase their earning potential by building experience, learning valuable skills, and moving up in their careers. Here are some effective strategies to help boost salary:
Gain experience: Employers tend to pay more as you gain experience as a primary care paramedic. Typically, an entry-level paramedic may earn around $46,660 per year, while those in senior roles or with extensive experience can make over $48,580, according to Salary.com.
Learn in-demand skills: Skills like healthcare data privacy and protection and patient safety are highly valued in the employment of primary care paramedics. For instance, managers with patient safety skills can see up to an 8.14% salary increase, based on real-time job posting data.
Work in high-paying areas: Salaries vary by location. For example, primary care paramedics in the District of Columbia can earn $53,333 per year, while those in California average around $53,133.
Negotiate: Understand current market rates and be ready to negotiate based on your qualifications. As of August 28, 2025, the average primary care paramedic in the United States earns $48,173 per year or about $23 per hour.
Average National Salaries by Source
As of August 28, 2025, data from five major salary-reporting websites indicate that the national average salary for primary care paramedics in the United States is $62,938.2 (unweighted).
SALARY.COM AVG. SALARY
$48,173/ year
INDEED.COM AVG. SALARY
$50,923/ year
GLASSDOOR AVG. SALARY
$99,000/ year
PAYSCALE AVG. SALARY
$61,763/ year
ZIPRECRUITER AVG. SALARY
$54,832/ year
