Paramedic in Delaware: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Public safety
Delaware employs 340 paramedics, with a statewide median of $64,240 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Delaware licensing picture, and where to train.
What Paramedics Earn in Delaware (May 2025)
- Delaware median pay
- $64,240 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $50,550
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $78,730
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $102,140
- Employed in Delaware
- 340
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $58,410 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for paramedics in major Delaware markets:
- Philadelphia
- $68,640 (1,760 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Delaware
Prices in Delaware run right about the national average (cost-of-living index 99.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $64,240 median holds roughly its face value.
Job Outlook in Delaware (2024–2034)
Delaware is projected to grow paramedics employment +6.2%, faster than the +5.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 20 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Delaware License and Certification Requirements
Paramedic certification — regulated by the Delaware Division of Public Health — Office of EMS.
- First earn your EMT certification.
- Complete a CAAHEP-accredited paramedic program (1–2 years with field and hospital rotations).
- Pass the NREMT-Paramedic exam and obtain Delaware paramedic certification through the Office of EMS.
Official requirements: Delaware Division of Public Health — Office of EMS →
Training in Delaware
Paramedic is the pay/scope step up from EMT. In Delaware, paramedic service is county-based; ambulance services, hospitals, and fire departments hire steadily.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Delaware include:
- Delaware Technical Community College-Terry — Associate
Where Paramedics Work in Delaware
Real Delaware EMS agencies that employ paramedics include:
- Care First Transportation Ambulance Service Incorporated — Dover
- Christiana Care Lifenet — Georgetown
- New Castle County Emergency Medical Services Paramedic Station 5 — Middletown
- New Castle County Emergency Medical Services Paramedic Station 2 — New Castle
- Christiana Care Lifenet — Newark
- New Castle County Emergency Medical Services Paramedic Station 6 — Newark
Is This the Right Move for You?
Best for: Calm, service-oriented people who can handle urgent, unpredictable work.
Think twice if: You need routine hours, low stress, or low physical demand.
Why it's resilient: Emergency response depends on physical presence, judgment under pressure, patient care, and local systems.
First Steps
Start with EMT training, then compare paramedic programs and local EMS employers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do paramedics make in Delaware?
The median wage for paramedics in Delaware is $64,240 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $50,550, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $102,140. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Paramedic in Delaware?
Paramedic certification, overseen by the Delaware Division of Public Health — Office of EMS. First earn your EMT certification.
Is being a Paramedic a good career in Delaware?
Emergency response depends on physical presence, judgment under pressure, patient care, and local systems.
Which Delaware metros pay paramedics the most?
Among Delaware metro areas, Philadelphia leads at $68,640. Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.
Where can I train to become a Paramedic in Delaware?
Real Delaware options include Delaware Technical Community College-Terry. Most paramedics start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Paramedic a growing career in Delaware?
Delaware projects paramedics employment to change +6.2% from 2024 to 2034, with about 20 openings a year — a growing field in the state.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Delaware statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2043. Licensing summary compiled from the Delaware Division of Public Health — Office of EMS (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.
BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Delaware wages · Delaware licensing/certification source
Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).
Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.