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

Public safety

Kansas employs 1,030 paramedics, with a statewide median of $51,020 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Kansas licensing picture, and where to train.

What Paramedics Earn in Kansas (May 2025)

Kansas median pay
$51,020 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile)
$40,780
Experienced (75th percentile)
$59,530
Top earners (90th percentile)
$64,090
Employed in Kansas
1,030
U.S. median (for comparison)
$58,410 (May 2024)
Starting $40,780 Median $51,020 Top 10% $64,090 $30k$40k$50k$60k$70k The bar spans the 10th–90th percentile of current workers.

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

Topeka
$62,050 (130 employed)
Kansas City
$59,520 (750 employed)
Wichita
$51,020 (170 employed)
Joplin
$49,480 (100 employed)
Manhattan
$48,950 (50 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Kansas

Prices in Kansas run about 10% below the national average (cost-of-living index 90.1 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $51,020 median stretches to roughly $56,626 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Kansas (2024–2034)

Kansas is projected to grow paramedics employment +4.5%, about in line with the +5.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 60 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Kansas License and Certification Requirements

Paramedic certification — regulated by the Kansas Board of Emergency Medical Services (KBEMS).

  1. First earn your EMT certification.
  2. Complete a CAAHEP-accredited paramedic program (1–2 years with field and hospital rotations).
  3. Pass the NREMT-Paramedic exam and obtain Kansas paramedic certification through KBEMS.

Official requirements: Kansas Board of Emergency Medical Services (KBEMS) →

Training in Kansas

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

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Kansas include:

Where Paramedics Work in Kansas

Real Kansas EMS agencies that employ paramedics include:

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 Kansas?

The median wage for paramedics in Kansas is $51,020 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $40,780, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $64,090. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Paramedic certification, overseen by the Kansas Board of Emergency Medical Services (KBEMS). First earn your EMT certification.

Is being a Paramedic a good career in Kansas?

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

Which Kansas metros pay paramedics the most?

Among Kansas metro areas, Topeka leads at $62,050, followed by Kansas City ($59,520), Wichita ($51,020). 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 Kansas?

Real Kansas options include Allen County Community College, Barton County Community College, Butler Community College. Most paramedics start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Paramedic a growing career in Kansas?

Kansas projects paramedics employment to change +4.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 60 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), Kansas statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2043. Licensing summary compiled from the Kansas Board of Emergency Medical Services (KBEMS) (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 Kansas wages · Kansas 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.

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