Do EMTs need a license in Washington?

Yes. Washington requires state-level licensing or registration for EMTs, administered by the Department of Health. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

How to Become an EMT in Washington (2026)

Q: How long does emt training take in Washington?

Most people become an EMT in Washington through a state-approved EMT course (typically a few months), the NREMT exam, and state or local EMT certification.

Q: How much do EMTs earn in Washington?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), EMTs in Washington earned a median annual wage of approximately $52,690. Employment concentration in Washington is roughly 0.71 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole.

Q: What is the job outlook for EMTs in Washington?

Washington currently employs approximately 2,940 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 5.1% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Washington emergency medical technicians earn a median annual wage of $52,690 ($25.33/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 2,940 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 18.5% above the national median of $44,470 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $52,690 ($25.33/hr)
25th percentile: $47,560 per year
75th percentile: $56,580 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $60,960 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $37,290 per year
Workers employed in Washington: 2,940
Versus national median: 18.5% above the U.S. median of $44,470
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.71 - this occupation is less concentrated in Washington than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed September 2, 2026.

Washington employs about 2,940 EMTs earning a median $52,690 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as an EMT here means completing a state-approved EMT course (typically a few months), the NREMT exam, and state or local EMT certification, then applying through Department of Health.

Washington employs approximately 2,940 EMTs according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $52,690 ¹. Nationally, emt employment is projected to grow 5.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 14,100 openings per year ². This page covers how to become an EMT in Washington, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Training paths: state-approved EMT course at a community college, fire academy, or EMS training program (find programs)
Typical timeline: a state-approved EMT course (typically a few months), the NREMT exam, and state or local EMT certification
Licensing authority: Department of Health
Licensing authority: Department of Health
Exam: NREMT (most states)
Median wage (Washington): $52,690 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become an EMT in Washington

How to become an EMT in Washington? Complete a state-approved EMT course (typically a few months), the NREMT exam, and state or local EMT certification. Apply through Department of Health. See the NREMT ³ for the national exam.

How long does it take? Most people finish a state-approved EMT course (typically a few months), the NREMT exam, and state or local EMT certification. Confirm current hour totals with the training program and Department of Health.

Do I need a license in Washington? Yes. Washington certifies EMTs through Department of Health ⁴. You also pass the NREMT exam in most states. See the licensing section below.

What do EMTs earn in Washington? The median annual wage for EMTs in Washington is $52,690 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $37,290 and experienced professionals can earn $60,960 or more ¹.

How to Become an EMT in Washington

Meet basic requirements. Most Washington EMT courses require you to be 18 (some allow 16 or 17 to train), hold a high school diploma or GED, and hold current CPR or BLS. Confirm the current age and health-screening rules with the training program.
Complete a state-approved EMT course. Finish a state-approved EMT course in Washington. Courses are usually a few months at a community college, fire academy, or EMS training program, with classroom hours plus skills labs and clinical time. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
Pass the NREMT exam. Pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians EMT exam. Most states use NREMT as the cognitive test; some still require a psychomotor exam. See the NREMT ³.
Get your Washington EMT certification. Apply through Department of Health. Some states also issue a local EMS agency card on top of the state credential. You cannot practice as an EMT until that certification is current.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

EMT License Requirements in Washington

The Department of Health oversees EMS certification in Washington ⁴. Most candidates also take the NREMT exam ³.

Typical EMT path

Meet age, diploma or GED, and CPR requirements.
Complete a state-approved EMT course (typically a few months).
Pass the NREMT EMT exam.
Apply for Washington EMT certification (and a local EMS agency card if the state uses one).

EMT is the entry credential. Advanced EMT and paramedic are later rungs on the same ladder, not the first license to chase.

Hour totals, background checks, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the Washington EMS office before you enroll.

EMT Wages by Metro Area in Washington

Emergency Medical Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Washington

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), emergency medical technicians wages in Washington vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria	1,730	$49,250	$52,690	$39,310	$68,590
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue	1,290	$55,700	$56,090	$49,520	$61,120
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro	1,040	$52,010	$52,580	$41,040	$63,380
Spokane-Spokane Valley	300	$47,560	$49,920	$38,410	$63,640
Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater	140	$51,760	$47,470	$36,580	$56,620
Kennewick-Richland	110	$46,480	$46,950	$36,950	$59,490
Wenatchee-East Wenatchee	100	$49,870	$48,190	$37,620	$64,280

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for EMTs in Washington? Washington currently employs approximately 2,940 EMTs ¹. Nationally, emt employment is projected to grow 5.1% from 2024 to 2034 ².

Can I work as an emt in Washington with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Health for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in Washington? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Washington.

How much do EMTs earn in Washington compared to the national average? The median annual wage for EMTs in Washington is $52,690, which is $11,350 above the national median of $41,340 according to BLS data ¹.

In Washington

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Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
NREMT - National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians: https://www.nremt.org/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Department of Health - Licensing Information: http://www.doh.wa.gov ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)