How to Become a Paramedic in Pennsylvania (2026)

Q: How long does paramedic training take in Pennsylvania?

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

Q: How much do paramedics earn in Pennsylvania?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), paramedics in Pennsylvania earned a median annual wage of approximately $61,000. Employment concentration in Pennsylvania is about 1.21 times the national average for this occupation.

Q: What is the job outlook for paramedics in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania currently employs approximately 4,750 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

Pennsylvania paramedics earn a median annual wage of $61,000 ($29.33/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 4,750 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 0.7% above the national median of $60,600 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $61,000 ($29.33/hr)
25th percentile: $53,820 per year
75th percentile: $69,570 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $81,590 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $48,040 per year
Workers employed in Pennsylvania: 4,750
Versus national median: 0.7% above the U.S. median of $60,600
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.21 - this occupation is more concentrated in Pennsylvania than the national average

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

Pennsylvania employs about 4,750 paramedics earning a median $61,000 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 the Pennsylvania EMS office.

Pennsylvania employs approximately 4,750 paramedics according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $61,000 ¹. The state’s concentration of paramedic jobs is 1.21x the national average, indicating strong demand. 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 Pennsylvania, 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
Exam: NREMT (most states)
Median wage (Pennsylvania): $61,000 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Paramedic in Pennsylvania

How to become a Paramedic in Pennsylvania? Complete a CAAHEP-accredited paramedic program after EMT, the NREMT paramedic exam, and state paramedic licensure. Apply through the Pennsylvania EMS office. 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 the Pennsylvania EMS office.

Do I need a license in Pennsylvania? Yes. Pennsylvania certifies paramedics through its EMS office after a state-approved course and, in most states, the NREMT exam. See the licensing section below.

What do paramedics earn in Pennsylvania? The median annual wage for paramedics in Pennsylvania is $61,000 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $48,040 and experienced professionals can earn $81,590 or more ¹.

How to Become a Paramedic in Pennsylvania

Hold an EMT credential and meet program entry rules. Paramedic programs in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania. 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 Pennsylvania paramedic licensure. Apply through the Pennsylvania EMS office. 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 Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania licenses paramedics through its state EMS office. Most candidates complete a CAAHEP-accredited paramedic program after EMT, pass the NREMT paramedic exam ³, then apply for state licensure.

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 Pennsylvania paramedic licensure.

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

Paramedic Wages by Metro Area in Pennsylvania

Paramedics Wages by Metro Area in Pennsylvania

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington	1,760	$68,640	$73,370	$54,740	$103,320
Pittsburgh	1,060	$61,900	$61,820	$49,500	$79,880
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton	300	$64,730	$65,300	$51,470	$79,940
Scranton--Wilkes-Barre	210	$57,720	$57,100	$47,140	$71,960
Harrisburg-Carlisle	200	$60,390	$58,640	$47,780	$70,320
Reading	170	$60,050	$60,980	$50,180	$77,630
Lancaster	150	$59,990	$60,450	$50,220	$73,700
York-Hanover	100	$59,710	$56,970	$48,680	$64,320
Erie	90	$53,820	$52,330	$31,890	$59,190
Johnstown	70	$47,850	$48,050	$34,180	$59,210
Williamsport	70	$49,610	$53,090	$44,280	$61,040

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 Pennsylvania? Pennsylvania currently employs approximately 4,750 paramedics ¹. Nationally, paramedic employment is projected to grow 5.0% from 2024 to 2034 ².

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

How much do paramedics earn in Pennsylvania compared to the national average? The median annual wage for paramedics in Pennsylvania is $61,000, which is $2,590 above the national median of $58,410 according to BLS data ¹.

In Pennsylvania

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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/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

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)