How Much Does a Paramedic Make in Colorado in 2026?

A typical Paramedic in Colorado earns about $30.73 per hour, or $63,910 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That works out to roughly $5,326 a month and $1,229 a week, figures calculated from the annual pay. These numbers describe typical pay across the state, before overtime, shift differentials, or benefits are added in.

Colorado's typical pay runs 5% above the national figure of $60,600 a year, ranking the state 17th out of 51 states and territories tracked. About 2,110 paramedics work in Colorado, compared with 100,610 nationwide. That difference in workforce size reflects the size of Colorado's population relative to larger states, not a difference in pay.

Entry-level Paramedics in Colorado typically start around $23.61 an hour, or about $49,110 a year, according to the same May 2025 data. Pay tends to move up toward the state's typical figure of $63,910 within the first several years on the job. Newer paramedics working in busier metro systems often see raises come faster than those in smaller departments.

Experienced Paramedics in Colorado often earn upwards of $37.63 an hour, or $78,270 a year, and the top 10% of earners make over $87,320 a year. That leaves a spread of $38,210 between entry-level and top-earning paramedics. Setting, years of experience, and city all play a part in where an individual paramedic lands within that range.

Colorado paramedic pay rose from $47,990 in 2021 to $63,910 in 2025, a gain of $15,920 over that span. The rise wasn't perfectly steady: pay jumped sharply between 2022 and 2023, climbed further into 2024, then eased slightly in 2025. Even with that small pullback, current pay remains well above where it stood five years earlier.

Nationally, paramedic pay rose about 30% over the same decade, according to the latest data. Colorado's dollar gain compares favorably with that broader trend, though the state's five-year climb was not without its dip in the most recent year. For someone starting a paramedic career in Colorado now, recent pay has moved up substantially, though future gains are not guaranteed.

Greeley pays Paramedics the most in Colorado, with typical pay of $66,830 a year ($32.13 an hour), about 5% above the state figure. Pueblo and the Denver metro area also rank near the top, with typical pay of $65,310 and $65,090. These figures reflect pay across each city's full metro area, not just the city center.

Boulder pays the least among Colorado's largest cities, with typical pay of $61,450 a year ($29.54 an hour), a spread of $5,380 between the highest- and lowest-paying cities in the state. Denver has the largest Paramedic workforce in Colorado, with about 1,090 working there. Higher pay in cities like Greeley or Pueblo usually tracks the local cost of living.

Among Colorado's neighbors, Utah pays Paramedics slightly more, at $65,420 a year (2% higher), while Wyoming pays about the same, at $64,040. Pay drops off further out: Oklahoma trails Colorado by 27%, at $46,790 a year, and Kansas and New Mexico also pay well below Colorado's figure. Paramedic licensure earned in Colorado can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state, though requirements vary.

Paramedics in Colorado typically earn $63,910 a year, about 5% above the national figure, after climbing $15,920 since 2021. Pay varies by city and experience, with entry-level positions starting near $49,110 a year and the top 10% earning over $87,320. Readers considering this path should check Colorado's EMS licensing and registry requirements, and compare city pages for local figures before deciding.