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

Public safety

Massachusetts employs 1,860 paramedics, with a statewide median of $66,340 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Massachusetts licensing picture, and where to train.

What Paramedics Earn in Massachusetts (May 2025)

Massachusetts median pay: $66,340 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $60,410
Experienced (75th percentile): $77,330
Top earners (90th percentile): $84,540
Employed in Massachusetts: 1,860
U.S. median (for comparison): $58,410 (May 2024)

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

Cape Cod: $73,570 (70 employed)
Boston: $66,460 (1,240 employed)
Providence: $66,370 (380 employed)
Worcester: $64,400 (260 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Massachusetts

Prices in Massachusetts run about 6% above the national average (cost-of-living index 105.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $66,340 median is worth closer to $62,703 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in Massachusetts (2024–2034)

Massachusetts is projected to grow paramedics employment +2.0%, slower than the +5.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 80 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Massachusetts License and Certification Requirements

Massachusetts Paramedic Certification — regulated by the Massachusetts Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) — Department of Public Health.

Hold a current EMT certification and complete a CAAHEP-accredited paramedic program at a Massachusetts DPH-approved training program (offered through Boston MedFlight, major academic medical centers, and community colleges).
Pass the NREMT Paramedic cognitive and psychomotor exams. Massachusetts OEMS requires current NREMT certification at the paramedic level for state certification.
Apply to the Massachusetts OEMS for state paramedic certification. $150 initial application fee. Renew every two years with required CE hours. Boston EMS, Boston MedFlight, Cataldo Ambulance, and AMR Massachusetts are major employers.

Official requirements: Massachusetts Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) — Department of Public Health →

Training in Massachusetts

Boston MedFlight (critical care air/ground transport), Boston EMS, and AMR Massachusetts are premier paramedic employers. Massachusetts' large medical academic complex — the concentration of Level I trauma centers at MGH, Brigham and Women's, and Boston Medical Center — makes Greater Boston one of the most advanced EMS environments in the country. Massachusetts also uses its own state protocols alongside NREMT.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Massachusetts include:

Berkshire Community College — Associate
Bristol Community College — Certificate
Bunker Hill Community College — Certificate / Associate
Cape Cod Community College — Certificate

Where Paramedics Work in Massachusetts

Real Massachusetts EMS agencies that employ paramedics include:

Angels Ambulance Headquarters — Abington
Lifeline Ambulance Service - Concord — Acton
Acushnet Emergency Medical Services — Acushnet
Adams Ambulance Service — Adams
Six Flags New England Emergency Medical Services Department — Agawam
Lifeline Ambulance Service - Allston — Allston

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 Massachusetts?

The median wage for paramedics in Massachusetts is $66,340 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $60,410, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $84,540. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Massachusetts Paramedic Certification, overseen by the Massachusetts Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) — Department of Public Health. Hold a current EMT certification and complete a CAAHEP-accredited paramedic program at a Massachusetts DPH-approved training program (offered through Boston MedFlight, major academic medical centers, and community colleges).

Is being a Paramedic a good career in Massachusetts?

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

Which Massachusetts metros pay paramedics the most?

Among Massachusetts metro areas, Cape Cod leads at $73,570, followed by Boston ($66,460), Providence ($66,370). 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 Massachusetts?

Real Massachusetts options include Berkshire Community College, Bristol Community College, Bunker Hill Community College. Most paramedics start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Paramedic a growing career in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts projects paramedics employment to change +2.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 80 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), Massachusetts statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2043. Licensing summary compiled from the Massachusetts Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) — Department of Public Health (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 Massachusetts wages · Massachusetts 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.