Why are paramedics paid so little?

Question

Especially considering their training/education and the stress of their job?

Answer 1

They are paid based on the same thing that everyone else is paid.

Very simple:

SUPPLY AND DEMAND.

Apparently there are many who want to be paramedics and few jobs available. That is why the low pay. If there were few paramedics and many jobs in that field, the pay would have to go up.

That also explains the question asked by the guy above. The reason a football coach or player is paid what seems like a ton of $$$$ is because there are very few people around who can do it successfully. How many coaches each year can bring their team to the world series or to the super bowl? If everyone could do it...the pay would drop like a bomb.

And for that guy who thinks movie stars are overpaid...well I'll tell you what...you put on the Superman costume and you appear in the next Superman movie and we'll see how many people come to the box office and put down $10.00 to watch you. The actor that gets paid those millions of dollars get paid that money because they make that money back for the studio, along with many millions of dollars more. If everyone looked good in that Superman costume...then anyone could play the role and the pay for playing Superman would be minimum wage.

Answer 2

Earnings of EMTs and paramedics depend on the employment setting and geographic location as well as the individual’s training and experience. Median annual earnings of EMTs and paramedics were $25,310 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $19,970 and $33,210. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $16,090, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $43,240. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of EMTs and paramedics in May 2004 were:

Local government $27,710
General medical and surgical hospitals 26,590
Other ambulatory health care services 23,130

Those in emergency medical services who are part of fire or police departments receive the same benefits as firefighters or police officers. For example, many are covered by pension plans that provide retirement at half pay after 20 or 25 years of service or if the worker is disabled in the line of duty.

Answer 3

a better question is why are football coaches paid so much. our whole priority system is so far out of whack a TV star can make a million a episode and we treat them like kings but a teacher has to take a second job to get by we will spend a hundreds of thousands of Dollars putting fish decals on planes in Alaska and Billions on convention centers and football stadiums but wont have basic supplies for schools Paramedics are some of the hardest working people out there and often risk their lives in their jobs but a Senator can make what he makes in a year by just 1 bribe .... uh...... I mean campaign contribution

Answer 4

because the government is cheap, and is to curupt