flight medic salary

How Much Do Flight Paramedics Make?

By Shelley Moore, eHow Contributor

A flight paramedic works as part of a helicopter crew, transporting critically injured or ill persons to hospital trauma centers and helping the flight nurse provide life support care. Heavy competition for these positions keeps the pay rate relatively low. People do this job for the sheer love of it, rather than for the money.

Identification

1. Average salary for flight paramedics in 2008 is $44,000, according to the website Simplyhired (see Resources below), and $49,000, according to the site Indeed (see Resources below). Pay is usually hourly, because of the difficulties of translating unusually long shifts, typically 12 hours and longer, to an annual salary. Discussion by flight paramedics on the site Flightweb.com's forums mention hourly wages of $12 to $18 an hour.

Considerations

2. Competition for these jobs is intense, as a flight paramedic career is one of the most sought-after positions in the world of emergency medical services. One Flightweb member says a position opening can receive 2,000 applications, and in some instances, certified paramedics even volunteer to do the work for free.

Function

3. A career in this field begins with obtaining a one-year diploma from a vocational school as an emergency medical technician (basic). Almost all states have this level of coursework, while some also have an intermediary level. All 50 states require certification. Paramedic programs often award a two-year associate's degree. Because of the competition, a bachelor's degree in emergency medical services can provide a paramedic with more opportunity. Military service also is a good option for obtaining EMT and paramedic training.

Types

4. An entry-level job in this field is street paramedic, providing emergency care to ill and injured people, and transporting them to the hospital. Advancement depends on the ability to handle the work and accept additional responsibility. At a minimum, employers looking for a flight paramedic require extensive experience in high-intensity EMS situations, typically up to eight years in the field. One way to work on the crew for higher pay is to return to school for a registered nursing degree. This opens up the opportunity to become a flight nurse/paramedic, where the average salary jumps to a range from about $65,000 to $82,000 depending on location and experience.

Features

5. A flight paramedic must be physically fit with endurance and stamina and the ability to stay alert through long shifts. They must be mentally stable, able to make decisions under stress and have the emotional strength to deal with the demands of the work. They need the skills to triage multiple patients and provide advanced life support. The job requires the paramedic to deal with gruesome accidents, multiple victims, traumatized family members and patient death. On the other hand, the work is also exciting and highly rewarding, as the flight paramedic is actively involved in saving lives during high-pressure situations.

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