The steps to get hired as an EMT
- Get what you need to start: a postsecondary certificate or award. If you qualify, WIOA can pay for job training: WIOA EMT training.
- Pass the test. Practice free: NREMT practice test, NREMT skills sheets.
- Write a resume for the job: the EMT resume has a full sample and the skills employers look for.
- Apply to openings near you: EMT jobs near me.
| EMT | |
|---|---|
| Median pay | $44,470 a year (median for EMTs, May 2025; paramedics earned $60,600) |
| Education to start | A postsecondary certificate or award |
| Training on the job | None after the program |
| Job outlook | 6 percent growth from 2025 to 2035 for EMTs and paramedics, about 18,200 openings each year |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, page last updated August 27, 2026.
What it takes to become an EMT
An EMT-Basic program usually takes less than a year. Programs usually ask for a high school diploma and CPR and basic life support certification first.
Every state requires a license. Most states require certification; the others require an equivalent state exam.
States may set a minimum age and a background check, and employers usually require a driver's license.
Apply to jobs near you
Pick the job and your ZIP code to see openings near you. Capstone Careers writes your resume for each one from what you give it and fills in the application.
The guides and tools for this job are together on the EMT page.