How to Become a Paramedic in Virginia (2026)

Q: How long does paramedic training take in Virginia?

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

Q: How much do paramedics earn in Virginia?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), paramedics in Virginia earned a median annual wage of approximately $60,480. Employment concentration in Virginia is roughly 0.74 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole.

Q: Do paramedics need a license in Virginia?

Yes. Virginia requires state-level licensing or registration for paramedics, administered by the Virginia Department of Health - Office of Emergency Medical Services. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

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

Virginia currently employs approximately 1,960 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

Virginia paramedics earn a median annual wage of $60,480 ($29.08/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 1,960 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -0.2% below the national median of $60,600 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $60,480 ($29.08/hr)
25th percentile: $49,960 per year
75th percentile: $67,030 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $77,280 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $42,520 per year
Workers employed in Virginia: 1,960
Versus national median: -0.2% below the U.S. median of $60,600
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.74 - this occupation is less concentrated in Virginia than the national average

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

Virginia employs about 1,960 paramedics earning a median $60,480 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 Virginia Department of Health - Office of Emergency Medical Services.

Virginia employs approximately 1,960 paramedics according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $60,480 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 Virginia, 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: Virginia Department of Health - Office of Emergency Medical Services
Exam: NREMT (most states)
Median wage (Virginia): $60,480 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Paramedic in Virginia

How to become a Paramedic in Virginia? Complete a CAAHEP-accredited paramedic program after EMT, the NREMT paramedic exam, and state paramedic licensure. Apply through Virginia Department of Health - Office of Emergency Medical Services. 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 Virginia Department of Health - Office of Emergency Medical Services.

Do I need a license in Virginia? Yes. Virginia certifies paramedics through Virginia Department of Health - Office of Emergency Medical Services ⁴. You also pass the NREMT exam in most states. See the licensing section below.

What do paramedics earn in Virginia? The median annual wage for paramedics in Virginia is $60,480 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $42,520 and experienced professionals can earn $77,280 or more ¹.

How to Become a Paramedic in Virginia

Hold an EMT credential and meet program entry rules. Paramedic programs in Virginia 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 Virginia. 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 Virginia paramedic licensure. Apply through Virginia Department of Health - Office of Emergency Medical Services. 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 Virginia

The Virginia Department of Health - Office of Emergency Medical Services oversees paramedic licensure in Virginia 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 Virginia paramedic licensure.

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

Paramedic Wages by Metro Area in Virginia

Paramedics Wages by Metro Area in Virginia

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria	840	$75,190	$78,310	$58,570	$104,700
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk	400	$64,120	$64,500	$47,360	$77,280
Kingsport-Bristol	160	$47,060	$48,180	$31,730	$62,920
Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford	120	$50,150	$48,710	$36,620	$54,710
Charlottesville	100	$63,870	$58,570	$45,440	$63,920
Roanoke	100	$59,020	$58,050	$43,610	$67,030
Lynchburg	70	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Winchester	50	$60,600	$59,540	$50,090	$75,360
Richmond	N/A	$63,750	$63,700	$50,660	$79,580

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 Virginia? Virginia currently employs approximately 1,960 paramedics ¹. Nationally, paramedic employment is projected to grow 5.0% from 2024 to 2034 ².

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

How much do paramedics earn in Virginia compared to the national average? The median annual wage for paramedics in Virginia is $60,480, which is $2,070 above the national median of $58,410 according to BLS data ¹.

In Virginia

Best Trade Schools in Virginia (2026)

Explore More Trades in Virginia

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/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Virginia Department of Health - Office of Emergency Medical Services - Licensing Information: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/emergency-medical-services/education-certification/provider-resources/how-to-become-an-emergency-medical-services-provider-in-virginia/ ↩︎ ↩︎

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)