Paramedic in Idaho: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Public safety

Idaho employs 440 paramedics, with a statewide median of $60,380 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Idaho licensing picture, and where to train.

What Paramedics Earn in Idaho (May 2025)

Idaho median pay: $60,380 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $48,940
Experienced (75th percentile): $75,940
Top earners (90th percentile): $83,510
Employed in Idaho: 440
U.S. median (for comparison): $58,410 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for paramedics in major Idaho markets:

Coeur d'Alene: $82,310 (40 employed)
Boise City: $60,380 (220 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Idaho

Prices in Idaho run about 4% below the national average (cost-of-living index 95.5 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $60,380 median stretches to roughly $63,225 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Idaho (2024–2034)

Idaho is projected to grow paramedics employment +12.4%, 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.

Idaho License and Certification Requirements

Paramedic license — regulated by the Idaho Dept. of Health & Welfare — EMS Bureau.

First earn your EMT license.
Complete a CAAHEP-accredited paramedic program (1–2 years with field and hospital rotations).
Pass the NREMT-Paramedic exam and obtain Idaho paramedic licensure through the EMS Bureau.

Official requirements: Idaho Dept. of Health & Welfare — EMS Bureau →

Training in Idaho

Paramedic is the pay/scope step up from EMT. Ambulance services, hospitals, and fire departments hire steadily.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Idaho include:

Boise State University — Certificate
College of Eastern Idaho — Certificate / Associate
College of Southern Idaho — Certificate / Associate
College of Western Idaho — Certificate / Associate

Where Paramedics Work in Idaho

Real Idaho EMS agencies that employ paramedics include:

Albion Quick Response Unit — Albion
Power County Emergency Medical Services - American Falls — American Falls
Caribou County Emergency Medical Services - Bancroft — Bancroft
Bliss Quick Response — Bliss
Ada - Boi Critical Care Transfer Team — Boise
Ada County Paramedics - Medical Station 52 — Boise

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 Idaho?

The median wage for paramedics in Idaho is $60,380 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $48,940, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $83,510. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Paramedic in Idaho?

Paramedic license, overseen by the Idaho Dept. of Health & Welfare — EMS Bureau. First earn your EMT license.

Is being a Paramedic a good career in Idaho?

Emergency response depends on physical presence, judgment under pressure, patient care, and local systems.

Which Idaho metros pay paramedics the most?

Among Idaho metro areas, Coeur d'Alene leads at $82,310, followed by Boise City ($60,380). 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 Idaho?

Real Idaho options include Boise State University, College of Eastern Idaho, College of Southern Idaho. Most paramedics start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Paramedic a growing career in Idaho?

Idaho projects paramedics employment to change +12.4% 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), Idaho statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2043. Licensing summary compiled from the Idaho Dept. of Health & Welfare — EMS Bureau (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 Idaho wages · Idaho 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.