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Emergency Medical Technicians in Washington
Want to work as an Emergency Medical Technicians in Washington? Below are the key facts. Assess injuries and illnesses and administer basic emergency medical care. May transport injured or sick persons to medical facilities. Excludes “Paramedics” (29-2043), “Firefighters” (33-2011), and “Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians” (53-3011).
What do Emergency Medical Technicians Make in Washington?
The emergency medical technicians working in Washington, wages run about $48,850 per year (or about $23.49/hour).Annual wages span from $37,560 at the 10th percentile to $62,270 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $37,560 | $18.06 |
| 25th percentile | $39,810 | $19.14 |
| Median (50th) | $48,850 | $23.49 |
| 75th percentile | $54,060 | $25.99 |
| 90th percentile | $62,270 | $29.94 |
The job concentration index in Washington relative to the national average — is 0.80, meaning fewer emergency medical technicians per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, emergency medical technicians earn a median of $105,175 per year ($50.57/hour), below the Washington median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 2,764,765 emergency medical technicians nationwide. In Washington alone, about 3,280 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 2,160 emergency medical technicians.
Top Washington Metros for Emergency Medical Technicians
The largest metro-area employers of emergency medical technicians in Washington.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 1,440 | $50,400 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | 330 | $40,660 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | 180 | $49,880 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | 130 | $39,520 |
| Yakima, WA | 130 | $38,380 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | 100 | $38,810 |
Top States for Emergency Medical Technicians Employment
The table below shows the states where the most emergency medical technicians work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 19,020 |
| New York | 14,350 |
| Texas | 13,550 |
| Pennsylvania | 9,810 |
| Illinois | 8,480 |
| North Carolina | 7,540 |
| Florida | 6,770 |
| Georgia | 5,740 |
| New Jersey | 5,630 |
| Ohio | 5,190 |
| Massachusetts | 4,270 |
| South Carolina | 4,270 |
| Michigan | 4,160 |
| Wisconsin | 4,000 |
| Virginia | 3,780 |
| Indiana | 3,760 |
| Arizona | 3,660 |
| Colorado | 3,420 |
| Tennessee | 3,420 |
| Missouri | 3,320 |
Highest-Paying States for Emergency Medical Technicians
These states pay the most for emergency medical technicians.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $61,310 |
| Alaska | $56,900 |
| New Jersey | $49,500 |
| Rhode Island | $49,500 |
| Washington | $48,850 |
| Oregon | $48,070 |
| Connecticut | $47,550 |
| Maryland | $47,390 |
| Virgin Islands | $47,040 |
| New York | $46,000 |
Daily Tasks
Day-to-day, emergency medical technicians typically:
- 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 survivors, or to receive instructions for further treatment.
- Coordinate work with other emergency medical team members or police or fire department personnel.
- Decontaminate ambulance interior following treatment of patient with infectious disease, and report case to proper authorities.
- Drive mobile intensive care unit to specified location, following instructions from emergency medical dispatcher.
- Immobilize patient for placement on stretcher and ambulance transport, using backboard or other spinal immobilization device.
- Maintain vehicles and medical and communication equipment, and replenish first aid equipment and supplies.
- Observe, record, and report to physician the patient's condition or injury, the treatment provided, and reactions to drugs or treatment.
- Perform emergency diagnostic and treatment procedures, such as stomach suction, airway management, or heart monitoring, during ambulance ride.
Tools & Technology
Technologies frequently used: Hot technologies: MEDITECH software In-demand technologies: Microsoft Office software
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
Related Careers
Other careers like emergency medical technicians include:
- Physician Assistants
- Anesthesiologist Assistants
- Respiratory Therapists
- Registered Nurses
- Acute Care Nurses
- Critical Care Nurses
Also Known As
Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT), Ambulance Driver, Dispatcher, EMT Paramedic (Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic), EMT-B (Emergency Medical Technician- Basic), EMT-I/85, EMT-I/99, EMT-P, Emergency Department Technician (ED Technician), Emergency Medical Driver, Emergency Medical Responder, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Emergency Medical Technician - Basic (EMT-B), Emergency Room Technician, First Responder.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 29-2042.00