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How Much Does a Paramedic Make in Washington in 2026?

Typical pay for Paramedics in Washington, from federal wage data (May 2025), with pay by city, the ten-year trend, and how the state compares.

$104,310
Typical pay a year
$50.15
Typical pay an hour
#1
Pay rank of 51 · +72% vs US
2,110
Paramedics employed
Where Paramedic pay falls in Washington
from starting out to the top earners
$61,010
Starting out
$80,320
First years
$104,310
Typical
$123,310
Experienced
$133,040
Top 10%

BLS OES May 2025 · Washington · typical annual pay from the lowest-paid tenth to the highest-paid tenth

A typical Paramedic in Washington earns about $50.15 per hour, or $104,310 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That works out to roughly $8,692 a month, based on the annual figure. On a weekly basis, typical pay comes to about $2,006, calculated from the same annual number. These figures represent typical pay for full-time work across the state.

Washington's typical pay for Paramedics runs 72% above the national figure of $60,600 a year, according to the same wage data. That puts Washington 1st among all 51 states for Paramedic pay. Around 2,110 Paramedics work across the state, compared with 100,610 nationwide. The smaller in-state workforce doesn't change the fact that Washington's pay sits at the top of the national list.

Paramedic pay in Washington at a glance

  • According to the latest government wage data (May 2025), Paramedics in Washington typically earn $50.15 an hour, about $104,310 a year.
  • That's 72% higher than the national typical pay of $60,600, ranking Washington 1st among all 51 states.
  • Bellevue, Tacoma, and Seattle lead the state, where Paramedics typically earn $123,310 a year.
  • Entry-level positions typically offer around $61,010 a year, while the top 10% of earners make over $133,040.
  • Nationally, Paramedic pay rose 30% over the past decade, while Washington's pay climbed $10,670 since 2021.

BLS OES May 2025

How much does a Paramedic make in Washington?

Paramedic pay by career stage in Washington

Paramedic pay by career stage in Washington
Career stageWashingtonUnited States
Starting out$61,010$29.33 an hour$44,230$21.27 an hour
First years$80,320$38.62 an hour$49,660$23.88 an hour
Typical Paramedic$104,310$50.15 an hour$60,600$29.13 an hour
Experienced$123,310$59.28 an hour$73,470$35.32 an hour
Top 10%$133,040$63.96 an hour$84,850$40.80 an hour

BLS OES May 2025 · starting out is the 10th percentile, first years the 25th, typical the median, experienced the 75th, top 10% the 90th

Paramedic pay by experience level in Washington

Entry-level positions in Washington typically offer around $29.33 an hour, or about $61,010 a year, according to the latest wage data. That's the starting point for Paramedics new to the field or early in their careers. Pay tends to climb from there, moving toward the state's typical figure of $50.15 an hour within a few years on the job.

Experienced Paramedics in Washington often earn upwards of $59.28 an hour, and the top 10% of earners make over $63.96 an hour, or $133,040 a year. That leaves a spread of $72,030 a year between entry-level and top-tier pay. Setting, years of experience, and which city a Paramedic works in all factor into where someone lands within that range.

Paramedic pay growth in Washington

$104,310
2025 typical annual pay
+$3,530 vs 2024
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025

Typical (median) annual wage for Paramedics in Washington · BLS OES May estimates, 2021 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change

Washington's typical pay for Paramedics climbed from $93,640 in 2021 to $104,310 in 2025, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That's a gain of $10,670 over those five years. Pay didn't move in a straight line, dipping slightly in 2023 before climbing again in 2024 and 2025.

Nationally, Paramedic pay rose 30% over the same decade measure, according to the same wage data. Washington's dollar gain came from a higher starting point, since the state already paid well above the national figure in 2021. For someone starting out now, the trend shows pay has moved upward in recent years, though no future rise is guaranteed.

Paramedic salary by city in Washington

Pay runs highest in Bellevue, Tacoma, and Seattle, where Paramedics typically earn $123,310 a year, or $59.28 an hour. That's about 18% above the statewide figure. Olympia, Tumwater, and Lacey follow closely at $120,260 a year, and Bellingham isn't far behind at $119,970.

Pay runs lowest in East Wenatchee, where Paramedics typically earn $63,520 a year, or $30.54 an hour. That's a gap of $59,790 from the top-paying metro areas. Bellevue holds the largest Paramedic workforce among the state's metro areas, with 750 workers. These figures cover each city's full metro area, and higher pay in places like Bellevue and Seattle generally tracks a higher cost of living.

Typical Paramedic pay by metro area in Washington
#CityTypical payHourlyVs WashingtonParamedics employed
1Seattle
metro incl. Tacoma · Bellevue
$123,310$59.28+18%750
2Olympia
metro incl. Lacey · Tumwater
$120,260$57.82+15%100
3Bellingham$119,970$57.68+15%70
4Bremerton
metro incl. Silverdale · Port Orchard
$119,700$57.55+15%80
5Mount Vernon
metro incl. Anacortes
$109,620$52.70+5%70
6Kennewick
metro incl. Richland
$101,250$48.68-3%80
7Spokane
metro incl. Spokane Valley
$79,400$38.17-24%170
8Wenatchee
metro incl. East Wenatchee
$63,520$30.54-39%60

Each row is one BLS metro area; cities that share a metro share its figures · BLS OES May 2025 · Washington typical pay $104,310

How Washington compares with nearby states

Washington pays its Paramedics considerably more than its neighbors. Oregon's typical pay comes to $74,840 a year, 28% below Washington's figure, while Idaho trails further at $60,380, 42% below. Alaska falls in between, at $71,860 a year, about 31% lower than Washington. A paramedic certification earned in one state can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state, though requirements vary and should be confirmed with the receiving state's licensing board.

Typical Paramedic pay in Washington and bordering states
StateTypical payVs Washington
Washington$104,310baseline
Oregon$74,840-28%
Idaho$60,380-42%

Bordering states, ranked by typical Paramedic pay · BLS OES May 2025

Is Washington a good state for Paramedics?

#1
pay rank of 51 · +72% vs national
2,110
Paramedics employed in Washington
0.6
Paramedic jobs per 1,000 jobs, vs about 0.6 nationally

Paramedics in Washington earn a strong wage by national standards: typical pay is $104,310 a year, 72% above the national figure and the 1st highest of 51. For every 1,000 jobs in Washington, about 0.6 are Paramedic positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 0.6. Paramedic jobs make up about the same share of the job market as they do across the country. Taken together, Washington is one of the better-paying states for Paramedics.

Summary

Washington Paramedics typically earn $104,310 a year, among the highest pay for this role in the country. That figure has climbed $10,670 since 2021, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). For specific licensing or registry requirements, check Washington's state EMS or health department page. For pay in a particular city, from Bellevue to East Wenatchee, the city figures above offer a closer local look.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Paramedic make in Washington?
Paramedics in Washington typically earn $50.15 an hour, or about $104,310 a year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That's well above the national typical pay of $60,600 a year.
How much does a Paramedic make an hour in Washington?
Paramedics in Washington typically earn $50.15 an hour, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Entry-level positions start around $29.33 an hour, while the top 10% earn over $63.96 an hour.
What is the starting pay for a Paramedic in Washington?
Entry-level positions in Washington typically offer around $29.33 an hour, or about $61,010 a year. Pay tends to rise toward the state's typical figure of $104,310 a year as Paramedics gain a few years of experience.
Which city in Washington pays Paramedics the most?
Bellevue, Tacoma, and Seattle pay the most, with Paramedics typically earning $123,310 a year, about 18% above the state figure. Bellevue also has the largest Paramedic workforce among Washington's metro areas, at 750 workers.
Is Paramedic pay in Washington higher than the national rate?
Yes. Washington's typical pay for Paramedics is $104,310 a year, 72% above the national figure of $60,600, ranking Washington 1st among all 51 states for Paramedic pay, according to the latest government wage data.

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