An EMT is an essential, and often high-stress, job. Unfortunately, the money doesn't often correlate to the intensity of the position. According to The Balance Careers, the average EMT salary is about $35,400. The highest-paid EMTs make about $59,860, while the lowest paid can make as little as $23,490 or less. Often, EMTs are paid hourly, and that hourly rate is often determined by where you live. For example, EMTs who live in Florida make about $19 an hour, while in New York, you could make about $23 an hour, per Indeed.
There are a few reasons for the low pay, despite the demanding nature of the job. According to Money, EMTs are not considered essential workers. They are also often funded by the local government and get just a small amount of the budget compared to police officers and firefighters. Another big reason for the low pay is that it doesn't take much in terms of schooling to get a job as an EMT. Here's what it does take.
