How to Become a Paramedic in New Jersey (2026)

Q: How long does paramedic training take in New Jersey?

Most people become a Paramedic in New Jersey through a CAAHEP-accredited paramedic program after EMT, the NREMT paramedic exam, and state paramedic licensure.

Q: How much do paramedics earn in New Jersey?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), paramedics in New Jersey earned a median annual wage of approximately $86,630. Employment concentration in New Jersey is roughly 0.19 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole.

Q: Do paramedics need a license in New Jersey?

Yes. New Jersey requires state-level licensing or registration for paramedics, administered by the Department of Health and Senior Services - Education, Training, and Licensure Program. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

Q: What is the job outlook for paramedics in New Jersey?

New Jersey currently employs approximately 540 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 5.0% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

New Jersey paramedics earn a median annual wage of $86,630 ($41.65/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 540 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 43.0% above the national median of $60,600 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $86,630 ($41.65/hr)
25th percentile: $79,440 per year
75th percentile: $95,650 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $99,420 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $76,260 per year
Workers employed in New Jersey: 540
Versus national median: 43.0% above the U.S. median of $60,600
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.19 - this occupation is less concentrated in New Jersey than the national average

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

New Jersey employs about 540 paramedics earning a median $86,630 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 Department of Health and Senior Services - Education, Training, and Licensure Program.

New Jersey employs approximately 540 paramedics according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $86,630 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 New Jersey, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Training paths: state-approved paramedic program after EMT (find programs)
Typical timeline: a CAAHEP-accredited paramedic program after EMT, the NREMT paramedic exam, and state paramedic licensure
Licensing authority: Department of Health and Senior Services - Education, Training, and Licensure Program
Licensing authority: Department of Health and Senior Services - Education, Training, and Licensure Program
Exam: NREMT (most states)
Median wage (New Jersey): $86,630 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Paramedic in New Jersey

How to become a Paramedic in New Jersey? Complete a CAAHEP-accredited paramedic program after EMT, the NREMT paramedic exam, and state paramedic licensure. Apply through Department of Health and Senior Services - Education, Training, and Licensure Program. 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 Department of Health and Senior Services - Education, Training, and Licensure Program.

Do I need a license in New Jersey? Yes. New Jersey certifies paramedics through Department of Health and Senior Services - Education, Training, and Licensure Program ⁴. You also pass the NREMT exam in most states. See the licensing section below.

What do paramedics earn in New Jersey? The median annual wage for paramedics in New Jersey is $86,630 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $76,260 and experienced professionals can earn $99,420 or more ¹.

How to Become a Paramedic in New Jersey

Hold an EMT credential and meet program entry rules. Paramedic programs in New Jersey typically require a current EMT certification, a high school diploma or GED, and CPR. Confirm age, driving, and background-check rules with the program.
Complete a CAAHEP-accredited paramedic program. Enroll in a state-approved, CAAHEP-accredited paramedic program in New Jersey. 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.
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.
Apply for New Jersey paramedic licensure. Apply through Department of Health and Senior Services - Education, Training, and Licensure Program. 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 New Jersey

The Department of Health and Senior Services - Education, Training, and Licensure Program oversees paramedic licensure in New Jersey ⁴. Most candidates complete a CAAHEP-accredited paramedic program after EMT and take the NREMT paramedic exam ³.

Typical paramedic path

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

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

Paramedic Wages by Metro Area in New Jersey

Paramedics Wages by Metro Area in New Jersey

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), paramedics wages in New Jersey vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
New York-Newark-Jersey City	3,850	$79,550	$82,300	$64,110	$100,240
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington	1,760	$68,640	$73,370	$54,740	$103,320
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton	300	$64,730	$65,300	$51,470	$79,940

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 paramedics in New Jersey? New Jersey currently employs approximately 540 paramedics ¹. Nationally, paramedic employment is projected to grow 5.0% from 2024 to 2034 ².

Can I work as a paramedic in New Jersey with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Health and Senior Services - Education, Training, and Licensure Program for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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

How much do paramedics earn in New Jersey compared to the national average? The median annual wage for paramedics in New Jersey is $86,630, which is $28,220 above the national median of $58,410 according to BLS data ¹.

In New Jersey

Best Trade Schools in New Jersey (2026)

Explore More Trades in New Jersey

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 and Senior Services - Education, Training, and Licensure Program - Licensing Information: https://www.nj.gov/health/lh/professionals/licensing/ ↩︎ ↩︎

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)