How to Become a Paramedic in Hawaii (2026)

Hawaii employs about 140 paramedics earning a median $81,280 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Paramedic here means completing a CAAHEP-accredited paramedic program after EMT, the NREMT paramedic exam, and state paramedic licensure, then applying through Hawaii State Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs - Board of Medical Examiners.

Hawaii employs approximately 140 paramedics according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $81,280 1. Nationally, paramedic employment is projected to grow 5.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 4,900 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Paramedic in Hawaii, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Quick Answers About How to Become a Paramedic in Hawaii

How to become a Paramedic in Hawaii? Complete a CAAHEP-accredited paramedic program after EMT, the NREMT paramedic exam, and state paramedic licensure. Apply through Hawaii State Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs - Board of Medical Examiners. See the NREMT 3 for the national exam.

How long does it take? Most people finish a CAAHEP-accredited paramedic program after EMT, the NREMT paramedic exam, and state paramedic licensure. Confirm current hour totals with the training program and Hawaii State Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs - Board of Medical Examiners.

Do I need a license in Hawaii? Yes. Hawaii certifies paramedics through Hawaii State Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs - Board of Medical Examiners 4. You also pass the NREMT exam in most states. See the licensing section below.

What do paramedics earn in Hawaii? The median annual wage for paramedics in Hawaii is $81,280 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $66,250 and experienced professionals can earn $81,440 or more 1.

How to Become a Paramedic in Hawaii

  1. Hold an EMT credential and meet program entry rules. Paramedic programs in Hawaii typically require a current EMT certification, a high school diploma or GED, and CPR. Confirm age, driving, and background-check rules with the program.
  2. Complete a CAAHEP-accredited paramedic program. Enroll in a state-approved, CAAHEP-accredited paramedic program in Hawaii. These programs are longer than EMT training and combine classroom work with clinical and field internships. Confirm current length with the program. This is not a registered apprenticeship path.
  3. Pass the NREMT paramedic exam. Pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians paramedic exam. See the NREMT 3 for current cognitive and psychomotor rules.
  4. Apply for Hawaii paramedic licensure. Apply through Hawaii State Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs - Board of Medical Examiners. Some states also require a local EMS agency affiliation. Confirm current fees and reciprocity before you practice.

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

Paramedic License Requirements in Hawaii

The Hawaii State Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs - Board of Medical Examiners oversees paramedic licensure in Hawaii 4. Most candidates complete a CAAHEP-accredited paramedic program after EMT and take the NREMT paramedic exam 3.

Typical paramedic path

  1. Hold a current EMT certification.
  2. Complete a CAAHEP-accredited paramedic program (longer than EMT; confirm length with the school).
  3. Pass the NREMT paramedic exam.
  4. Apply for Hawaii paramedic licensure.

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

Paramedic Wages by Metro Area in Hawaii

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for paramedics in Hawaii? Hawaii currently employs approximately 140 paramedics 1. Nationally, paramedic employment is projected to grow 5.0% from 2024 to 2034 2.

Can I work as a paramedic in Hawaii with an out-of-state license? Contact the Hawaii State Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs - Board of Medical Examiners for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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

How much do paramedics earn in Hawaii compared to the national average? The median annual wage for paramedics in Hawaii is $81,280, which is $22,870 above the national median of $58,410 according to BLS data 1.

In Hawaii

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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


  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. NREMT - National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians: https://www.nremt.org/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  4. Hawaii State Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs - Board of Medical Examiners - Licensing Information: http://cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/boards/medical/ ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

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

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / 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)