Prevailing Wage for Paramedics
Prevailing wage for Paramedics (SOC 29-2043) is set by the Department of Labor using regional Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. Whether you work as a First Responder for a municipal fire district or a Flight Paramedic for an air medical service, DOL sets four experience-based wage levels and the floor shifts significantly by metro area.
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Entry-level paramedics with limited field experience, typically recent program graduates working under close supervision on routine emergency calls. DOL places candidates here when the role requires no independent judgment and direct oversight is expected throughout each shift.
Qualified paramedics with one to three years of independent field experience handling a standard range of emergency calls. Level 2 is the most common filing level for Paramedics, reflecting the practical experience most employers require before unsupervised deployment.
Experienced paramedics who manage complex, high-acuity calls with minimal supervision and may informally mentor newer staff. DOL typically places candidates here when the job description specifies advanced life support competency, specialized response units, or lead roles on a crew.
Fully competent senior paramedics in lead, field training officer, or specialty unit roles such as critical care transport or tactical EMS. These positions carry broad autonomous decision-making authority and often involve supervising other licensed EMS personnel on scene.
Prevailing Wage for Paramedics by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for Paramedics and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
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Watch how flight programs classify your role
Flight Paramedic positions frequently draw higher prevailing wage levels than ground EMS roles at the same employer. Confirm the employer filed the LCA under the Flight Paramedic title and the corresponding level, not a generic ground crew classification that sets a lower floor.
Factor out signing bonuses before comparing offers
Some EMS employers advertise total compensation that includes a one-time signing bonus. DOL prevailing wage compliance is measured against base hourly wages only. A signing bonus spread across a contract year does not count toward meeting the prevailing wage floor.
Cross-reference Pacific Northwest metros for wage outliers
Seattle-area and Bellingham metro markets pay prevailing wages for Paramedics well above national medians at every level. If you receive an offer in western Washington, verify the worksite-specific OES wage rather than relying on national or state-level figures, which significantly understate local floors.
Use Migrate Mate to find employers with paramedic sponsorship history
Migrate Mate shows which employers have sponsored Paramedics under H-1B or green card categories before, filtering by location and visa type. That history tells you whether a specific EMS agency or hospital-based service has navigated the sponsorship process for this occupation.
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Find Jobs for ParamedicsPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 29-2043.00 alongside Paramedics, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
First Responder Prevailing Wage
First Responder Prevailing Wage
First Responder positions fall under SOC 29-2043.00 (Paramedics). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Flight Paramedic Prevailing Wage
Flight Paramedic Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Flight Paramedic for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 29-2043.00 (Paramedics). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Paramedics?
DOL calculates prevailing wages for Paramedics using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics from employers across each geographic area. For sponsored positions, the employer submits a Labor Condition Application to OFLC certifying the offered wage meets or exceeds the DOL-determined prevailing wage for the worksite location and the applicable experience level under SOC 29-2043.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which one applies to me?
DOL assigns one of four levels based on experience, supervision, and job complexity. Level 1 covers recent graduates under close supervision. Level 2 reflects independent field practice and is the most commonly filed level for this occupation. Level 3 applies to experienced paramedics handling complex calls with limited oversight. Level 4 covers senior, lead, or specialty-unit roles with autonomous decision-making authority. Your level should match the actual duties in the job description, not just your years of experience.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same Paramedics role vary so much by city?
DOL derives prevailing wages from regional OES surveys that capture what local employers actually pay. Areas with higher costs of living, strong union contracts, or concentrated demand for advanced EMS services tend to produce higher survey data and therefore higher floors. The LCA filed by your sponsoring employer must use the wage for the specific worksite address, not a statewide or national figure, so a move between metros can change the floor substantially even within the same state.
What happens if an employer offers a salary below the prevailing wage for a sponsored position?
USCIS will not approve an H-1B petition if the underlying LCA shows an offered wage below the DOL prevailing wage for the worksite and level. OFLC may also audit or invalidate a certified LCA if the actual pay falls short. The employer is required to pay the higher of the prevailing wage or the actual wage paid to comparable workers. An offer below the floor is a compliance violation, not a negotiating starting point.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for a Paramedics position at a specific U.S. location?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool to look up the current DOL prevailing wage for SOC 29-2043 by metro area or county. Enter the worksite ZIP code or metropolitan statistical area and select the appropriate experience level to see the four-level wage table. You can also cross-reference the Bureau of Labor Statistics OES data for local pay context. Migrate Mate lets you filter sponsored Paramedics job listings by location and see which employers have a verified history of sponsoring this role.
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