How Much Does a Paramedic Make in New Jersey in 2026?

A typical Paramedic in New Jersey earns about $41.65 per hour, or $86,630 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Calculated from that annual figure, pay works out to roughly $7,219 a month and about $1,666 a week. This is the typical figure for the state's Paramedics, not an entry wage or a top earner's paycheck.

New Jersey's typical pay sits 43% above the national figure of $60,600 a year, according to the same May 2025 data. That gap places New Jersey 2nd out of 51 states and areas ranked for Paramedic pay. The state employs about 540 Paramedics, a modest workforce compared with the national total of 100,610. Even with a smaller headcount, New Jersey pay stands near the top of the national ranking.

Entry-level positions in New Jersey typically offer around $36.66 an hour, or about $76,260 a year, for newly certified Paramedics. Pay for early-career Paramedics can reach up to about $79,440 a year before climbing further. Within the first several years on the job, pay typically moves toward the typical figure of $41.65 an hour, or $86,630 a year.

Experienced Paramedics in New Jersey often earn upwards of $45.99 an hour, or $95,650 a year, placing them among the top earners. The top 10% make over $47.80 an hour, or $99,420 a year. That leaves a spread of $23,160 between entry-level and top-tier pay in the state. Setting, years of experience, and the city where a Paramedic works all contribute to where someone falls within that range.

New Jersey's Paramedic pay rose from $72,160 in 2021 to $86,630 in 2025, a gain of $14,470 over that span, according to government wage data. Pay climbed each year across that stretch: $74,970 in 2022, $78,790 in 2023, and $80,100 in 2024, before reaching $86,630 in 2025. The increases were steady across the period rather than a single jump.

Nationally, Paramedic pay rose about 30% over the same period, according to the same wage data. New Jersey's dollar gain of $14,470 reflects strong growth in raw terms over that span. For someone starting as a Paramedic in New Jersey now, recent years show pay moving upward, though nothing about future increases is guaranteed.

Jersey City and Newark report the highest metro-area pay in New Jersey for Paramedics, both at $79,550 a year ($38.24 an hour), covering their full metro areas. That figure sits about 8% below the statewide typical pay of $86,630, since the statewide figure draws from a broader mix of areas across the state. Camden follows at $68,640 a year ($33.00 an hour).

Bethlehem and Easton report the lowest pay among the state's listed metro areas, both at $64,730 a year ($31.12 an hour). That leaves a spread of $14,820 between the highest- and lowest-paying areas covered here. Jersey City also has the largest Paramedic workforce among these areas, with about 3,850 employed. Cost of living factors into these differences, since higher-paying metro areas typically carry higher expenses as well.

New Jersey pays more than each of its neighboring states for Paramedics. New York's typical pay of $73,200 a year runs 16% below New Jersey's figure, while Pennsylvania's $61,000 typical pay sits 30% below, and Delaware's $64,240 comes in 26% lower. For Paramedics considering a move, certification and licensure earned in New Jersey can often be transferred or endorsed into a nearby state, though requirements vary.

Paramedics in New Jersey typically earn $86,630 a year ($41.65 an hour), a figure that has risen by $14,470 since 2021 according to government wage data. That places the state well above the national typical pay and near the top of the national ranking. Readers weighing a move or a new certification should check New Jersey's EMS licensing and registry requirements, along with city-specific pages here for local pay figures.