Emergency Medical Technicians

A subset of this occupation's profile is available. Data collection is currently underway to populate other parts of the profile.

Assess injuries and illnesses and administer basic emergency medical care. May transport injured or sick persons to medical facilities.

Sample of reported job titles: Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), First Responder

Occupation-Specific Information

Tasks Save Table: XLSX CSV

  • 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.

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Technology Skills Save Table: XLSX CSV

Hot technology
Hot Technologies are requirements most frequently included across all employer job postings.
In demand
In Demand skills are frequently included in employer job postings for this occupation.

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Occupational Requirements

Detailed Work Activities Save Table: XLSX CSV

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Experience Requirements

Job Zone Save Table: XLSX CSV

Title
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Education
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Related Experience
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Job Training
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Job Zone Examples
These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, desktop publishers, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters and simultaneous captioners, and medical assistants.
SVP Range
(6.0 to < 7.0)

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Training & Credentials

State training
Local training
Certifications
State licenses

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Apprenticeship Opportunities

Example apprenticeship titles for this occupation:

  • Emergency Medical Technician (Alternate Title: Health Care Specialist)

Specific title(s) listed above are vetted by industry and approved by the U.S. Department of Labor for use in a Registered Apprenticeship Program.

Start your career and build your skillset. Visit Apprenticeship.gov external site to learn about opportunities related to this occupation.

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Worker Characteristics

Interests Save Table: XLSX CSV

Occupational InterestInterest
77
 
Social — Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.
74
 
Realistic — Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
59
 
Investigative — Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
47
 
Conventional — Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
9
 
Enterprising — Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.
0
 
Artistic — Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.

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Work Styles Save Table: XLSX CSV

ImpactWork Style
100
 
Self-Control — A tendency to remain calm and composed and to manage emotions effectively in response to criticism or difficult situations at work.
100
 
Stress Tolerance — A tendency to cope and function effectively in stressful situations at work.
98
 
Dependability — A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related obligations.
85
 
Integrity — A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.
81
 
Adaptability — A tendency to be open to and comfortable with change, new experiences, or ideas at work.
79
 
Attention to Detail — A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.
79
 
Perseverance — A tendency to exhibit determination and resolve to perform or complete tasks in the face of difficult circumstances or obstacles at work.
77
 
Cooperation — A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.
77
 
Empathy — A tendency to show concern for others and be sensitive to others' needs and feelings at work.
72
 
Self-Confidence — A tendency to believe in one's work-related capabilities and ability to control one's work-related outcomes.
68
 
Sincerity — A tendency to be genuine and sincere in interactions with others at work, without concern for personal gain or self-interest.
61
 
Social Orientation — A tendency to seek out, enjoy, and be energized by social interaction at work.
50
 
Tolerance for Ambiguity — A tendency to be comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty at work.
48
 
Initiative — A tendency to be proactive and take on extra responsibilities and tasks that may fall outside of one's required work role.
48
 
Leadership Orientation — A tendency to lead, take charge, offer opinions, and provide direction at work.
46
 
Achievement Orientation — A tendency to establish and maintain personally challenging work-related goals, set high work-related standards, and exert high effort toward meeting those goals and standards.
44
 
Cautiousness — A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related decisions or doing work.
44
 
Optimism — A tendency to exhibit a positive attitude and positive emotions at work, even under difficult circumstances.
41
 
Intellectual Curiosity — A tendency to seek out and acquire new work-related knowledge and obtain a deep understanding of work-related subjects.
30
 
Humility — A tendency to be modest and humble when interacting with others at work.

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Workforce Characteristics

Wages & Employment Trends

Median wages (2024)
$19.88 hourly, $41,340 annual
State wages
Local wages
Employment (2024)
181,000 employees
Projected growth (2024-2034)
Faster than average (5% to 6%)
Projected job openings (2024-2034)
14,100
State trends
Top industries (2024)
Health Care and Social Assistance (69% employed in this sector)

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024 wage data external site and 2024-2034 employment projections external site. “Projected growth” represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2024-2034). “Projected job openings” represent openings due to growth and replacement.

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Job Openings on the Web

State job openings
Local job openings

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More Information

Related Occupations Save Table: XLSX CSV

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Professional Associations

Disclaimer: Sources are listed to provide additional information on related jobs, specialties, and/or industries. Links to non-DOL Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.

National Associations
Regional Associations
Accreditation, Certification, & Unions

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