Ok since I am an EMT I will educate. You are right, it depends on the area where you work. I work in Northern California and I get paid pretty decent. 22 bucks an hour plus overtime. And I do not think I am underpaid because it did not take long for me to go to school. I completed a rapid EMT course that took a month. I also went to Paramedic school and that takes a bit longer, about 18 months. Most of the calls we run are your bs calls. Toe pain, wrist pain, flu like symptoms ect....I work in Stockton and yes there is a risk, but not much. So I'm gonna throw a curve ball here and back educators.
Here's the question of the hour; if you worked in East Tennessee and made $9 an hour would you still feel the same way? Cost of living is far less but nine dollars is nine dollars.
no love for educators. i have seen teachers pour their hard earned money back into the class rooms to help their students. i think they deserve to be paid so much more for their efforts.
even as a tax deduction that still goes a long way. EMT work is not that hard. sit in a van sleep for a while get a call pick some one up. and if your getting 9 bucks an hour chances are your just busing folks from one hospital.
EMT's are the most under appreciated and under paid profession I can think of. They put themselves at risk every time they take a call. Someday each of us reading this could be saved by the quick action of an EMT. They must love their work because they sure aren't doing it for the money.
I know there pay scale isn't very high and like Mr. Kazinec said it depends on the area. I actually went to a class to help out and ride along with the Emt's and they have a very difficult job. They see a lot and should be more appreciated and payed better.
I know the pay scale for EMT's varies depeding on the location but from the people I've talked to these guys and gals don't get paid nearly what they're worth. Especially when you consider lives are in their hands. Thank You EMT's