Paramedics in California

Want to work as a Paramedics in California? Below are the key facts. Administer basic or advanced emergency medical care and assess injuries and illnesses. May administer medication intravenously, use equipment such as EKGs, or administer advanced life support to sick or injured individuals. Excludes “Emergency Medical Technicians” (29-2042) and “Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians” (53-3011).

What do Paramedics Make in California?

For a paramedics working in California, the typical annual salary is $72,180 per year (or roughly $34.70/hour).Earnings range from $49,080 at the 10th percentile to $101,550 at the 90th percentile.

The job concentration index in California nationwide is 0.52, suggesting fewer paramedics per worker than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, paramedics earn a median of $62,670 per year ($30.13/hour), exceeding the California median.

Employment Outlook

Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 2,107,558 paramedics in the U.S.. In California alone, approximately 6,090 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 1,510 paramedics.

Top California Metros for Paramedics

The largest metro-area employers of paramedics in California.

Top States for Paramedics Employment

View the states that employ the most paramedics work.

Highest-Paying States for Paramedics

The highest-paying states for paramedics.

Daily Tasks

Day-to-day, paramedics typically:

• Administer drugs, orally or by injection, or perform intravenous procedures.
• 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.
• Coordinate with treatment center personnel to obtain patients' vital statistics and medical history, to determine the circumstances of the emergency, and to administer emergency treatment.
• Coordinate work with other emergency medical team members or police or fire department personnel.
• Instruct emergency medical response team about emergency interventions to ensure correct application of procedures.
• Observe, record, and report to physician the patient's condition or injury, the treatment provided, and reactions to drugs or treatment.
• Operate equipment, such as electrocardiograms (EKGs), external defibrillators, or bag valve mask resuscitators, in advanced life support environments.
• Perform emergency cardiac care, such as cardioversion and manual defibrillation.
• Perform emergency invasive intervention before delivering patient to an acute care facility.

Tools & Technology

Technologies frequently used: Hot technologies: Apple iOS, eClinicalWorks EHR software In-demand technologies: R

What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?

Several college majors map to this occupation:

• Allied Health Professions

Related Careers

Careers similar to paramedics include:

• Physician Assistants
• Anesthesiologist Assistants
• Respiratory Therapists
• Registered Nurses
• Acute Care Nurses
• Critical Care Nurses

Also Known As

Critical Care Flight Paramedic, Critical Care Paramedic, ED Paramedic (Emergency Department Paramedic), EMT (Emergency Medical Technician), EMT Paramedic (Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic), ER Paramedic (Emergency Room Paramedic), First Responder, Flight Paramedic, Healthcare Specialist, Medical Technician, Paramedic, Paramedic Specialist (PS), Rescue Worker, 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: 29-2043.00