What does an Emergency Medical Technician do?

Emergency medical technicians are healthcare professionals who provide urgent medical treatment, typically in an ambulance or at the site of an accident or other emergency. They generally do not have the level of advanced training as a paramedic, although in some settings the two titles may be used interchangeably. They serve as first responders and perform initial assessments, while also providing immediate basic care such as supplying oxygen or addressing wounds and other serious injuries. Their objective is to stabilize patients or provide critical care until the patient can be transported to a medical facility.

Emergency medical technicians have completed an EMT training and certification program, and must have a valid EMT license, along with BLS certification and any other required credentials. They must be able to remain calm and focused in stressful situations.

Education--
Work/Life Balance
3.1 ★
Salary Range--
Career Opportunity
3.2 ★
Avg. Experience8+ years

Emergency Medical Technician Salaries

Average Base Pay

$1,100 /month
Same as national average
Not including cash compensation
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Not enough salaries reported to show distribution
$634
Median: $1K
$3K
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Glassdoor Estimated Salary

Emergency Medical Technician Career Path

Learn how to become an Emergency Medical Technician, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path.

Emergency Medical Technician

Years of Experience Distribution

0 - 1
5%
2 - 4
3%
5 - 7
0%
8+
92%
Not including years spent in education and/or training

Emergency Medical Technician Insights

Read what Emergency Medical Technician professionals have to say about their job experiences and view top companies for this career.
St. Francis Regional Medical CenterSt. Francis Regional Medical Center
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
4 Dec 2021

“My very first preceptor (trainer) was really nice and I learned a lot from her.”

LifeNetLifeNet
EMT-Basic
17 Jan 2021

“There were some people who weren’t my favorite to work with but everyone else was great”

Brewster AmbulanceBrewster Ambulance
EMT-B
17 Feb 2023

“Starting as a new EMT this is a great way to get a field for private EMS”

UM St. Joseph Medical CenterUM St. Joseph Medical Center
Emergency Room Technician
14 Apr 2021

“It’s a good place to start but I definitely don’t see much career growth here.”

Weiss Memorial HospitalWeiss Memorial Hospital
Emergency Room Technician
30 Dec 2021

“If you're just starting out this is a great place to start your career.”

Eagle AmbulanceEagle Ambulance
EMT-Basic
30 Sept 2021

“Eagle has one of the best management teams I've had the pleasure of working under in EMS.”

AMRAMR
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
16 Nov 2021

“The pay for 24 hours would be 14 an hour and if it was a 12 hour day then it would be 18.”

AdventHealth OrlandoAdventHealth Orlando
Director of Emergency Services
12 Sept 2021

“The quality of the people who work here are top notch and some of the best people you could work with.”

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Emergency Medical Technician Interviews

Frequently asked questions about the role and responsibilities of an Emergency Medical Technician

The most similar professions to Emergency Medical Technician are:
  • Medical Assistant
  • Patient Care Professional
  • Certified Nursing Assistant
  • Paramedic

Related Careers

Medical Assistant
$25,500
No skills overlap
Patient Care Professional
Certified Nursing Assistant
Paramedic
$14,000
No skills overlap

Emergency Medical Technician jobs