In short
To become an EMT, complete a state-approved EMT course, often about one semester, then pass the National Registry cognitive and skills exams and get your state license. Most programs require CPR certification and you must usually be 18. EMTs earned a median of $44,470 in May 2025, with 5.8% growth projected through 2035.
| Median pay | $44,470 a year, about $21.38 an hour (May 2025) |
|---|---|
| Typical way in | Certificate |
| Jobs in the U.S. | About 181,900 (2025) |
| Outlook, 2025 to 2035 | Projected growth of 5.8% |
| Openings each year | About 13,800 on average, including replacements |
| National exam | NREMT cognitive and psychomotor exams |
| Where they work | Ambulance services, fire departments, hospitals |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025 to 2035 and May 2025 wages, BLS. National figures; pay where you live can be higher or lower, and starting pay is lower than the median.
What the job is like
Shifts can be 12 or 24 hours. You might go from a fall at a nursing home to a car crash to a call that turns out to be nothing. You lift patients, work in all weather and see people on their worst days. Teamwork with your partner is everything.
After EMT
Many EMTs go on to paramedic programs, firefighting, nursing or physician assistant school.
Questions people ask
How long does EMT training take?
Many courses run about one semester, and some accelerated ones are shorter.
Is the NREMT exam hard?
It is challenging, and many people study hard for it. Programs prepare you.
Do EMTs get paid well?
Pay is modest; many use EMT as a stepping stone.