by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic) covers Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic). A Program That Prepares Individuals, Under The Remote Supervision Of Physicians, To Recognize, Assess, And Manage Medical Emergencies In Prehospital Settings And To Supervise Ambulance Personnel. Includes Instruction In Basic, Intermediate, And Advanced Emt Procedures; Emergency Surgical Procedures; Medical Triage; Rescue Operations; Crisis Scene Management And Personnel Supervision; Equipment Operation And Maintenance; Patient Stabilization, Monitoring, And Care; Drug Administration; Identification And Preliminary Diagnosis Of Diseases And Injuries; Communication And Computer Operations; Basic Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology, And Toxicology; And Professional Standards And Regulations. Continue reading for the key facts every emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) programs.
Nationwide, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) is a popular field of study, with 29,337 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic) Schools ranking analyzes these 657 schools to determine the best overall colleges for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) programs later in this article.
Coursework for Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic) emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 6,393 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 3,611 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 383 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 12,725 |
People currently working in careers related to emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 35.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 24.9% |
| Post-doctoral training | 19.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 12.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.9% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) can lead to numerous career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic).
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic).
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technicians | 3,168,873 | 14.6% |
| Paramedics | 2,408,864 | 14.3% |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $67,845 |
| 4 years | $61,295 |
| 5 years | $69,015 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technicians | $105,175 |
| Paramedics | $62,670 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
With 657 different emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) school rankings to help you.
Those considering emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic), you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
