The average salary for a Paramedic in Chicago is 65,364 $ per year on a 40-hour full-time equivalent, or 5,447 $ gross per month and 31.42 $ gross per hour. The reported full-time salary range is 38,125 $ to 112,000 $. The analysis is based on 43 salary reports from workers and employers in Chicago. Part-time salaries are proportionally converted to 40 weekly hours so the values are comparable.
| Date | Job title | Weekly hours | Reported gross/year | Normalized to 40h/year | Gross/month 40h | Gross/hour 40h | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/12/2026 | Paramedic / Clinical Instructor | 40.0 h | 73,500 $ | 73,500 $ | 6,125 $ | 35.34 $ | I teach paramedic classes part of the week and cover field shifts the rest. My combined schedule averages full time and I handle clinical oversight for students. |
| 04/18/2026 | Paramedic (Community Outreach) | 37.0 h | 65,500 $ | 70,811 $ | 5,901 $ | 34.04 $ | I work in community outreach and preventive care as a paramedic for a city-sponsored program. It's a full-time role focused on reducing 911 demand. |
| 04/02/2026 | Paramedic (Contractor / Event Lead) | 40.0 h | 74,000 $ | 74,000 $ | 6,167 $ | 35.58 $ | I contract full time building and leading event medical teams for large-scale events and sports. This position involves logistics and medic staffing duties. |
| 03/09/2026 | Flight Paramedic (Senior Lead) | 40.0 h | 112,000 $ | 112,000 $ | 9,333 $ | 53.85 $ | I serve as senior lead flight paramedic with additional administrative responsibilities and international transfer coordination. This is a full-time position. |
| 02/04/2026 | Paramedic (Senior Field) | 40.0 h | 63,500 $ | 63,500 $ | 5,292 $ | 30.53 $ | I am a senior field paramedic focusing on high-acuity calls in the southwest part of the city. I work full time and act as lead when others are inexperienced. |
| 01/22/2026 | Independent Contractor Paramedic | 40.0 h | 72,000 $ | 72,000 $ | 6,000 $ | 34.62 $ | I'm an independent contractor running specialty medical teams for corporate and festival clients. I handle my taxes and benefits and have been contracting four years. |
| 11/30/2025 | Paramedic - Clinical Specialist | 38.0 h | 68,000 $ | 71,579 $ | 5,965 $ | 34.41 $ | I work as a clinical specialist focusing on protocols and clinical outcomes at a large healthcare system while still responding to some calls; full time at 38 hours. |
| 09/14/2025 | Chief Paramedic / Operations Lead | 45.0 h | 105,000 $ | 93,333 $ | 7,778 $ | 44.87 $ | I am the operations lead for a city EMS program, responsible for budgeting, staffing, and policy. This management position requires about 45 hours weekly. |
| 08/21/2025 | Paramedic (Clinical Coordinator) | 44.0 h | 89,500 $ | 81,364 $ | 6,780 $ | 39.12 $ | I coordinate clinical programs across multiple stations and supervise medical quality improvement efforts. This role is managerial and requires about 44 hours weekly. |
| 06/05/2025 | Paramedic (Part-Time Event Medic) | 30.0 h | 36,000 $ | 48,000 $ | 4,000 $ | 23.08 $ | I work part time as an event medic and for private transports; hours vary seasonally but average about 30 per week. I've been doing this on the side for three years. |
| 04/27/2025 | Lead Paramedic / Shift Coordinator | 42.0 h | 79,000 $ | 75,238 $ | 6,270 $ | 36.17 $ | I coordinate field crews as a lead paramedic for a large provider, handle dispatch liaison duties, and work roughly 42 hours a week in this leadership role. |
| 02/13/2025 | Paramedic (Private Ambulance) | 40.0 h | 61,000 $ | 61,000 $ | 5,083 $ | 29.33 $ | I work full time for a private ambulance service doing 911 transports in the city. I have six years of experience and sometimes pick up overtime shifts. |
| 01/08/2025 | Paramedic (Lead Trainer) | 40.0 h | 77,000 $ | 77,000 $ | 6,417 $ | 37.02 $ | I am lead trainer for a large EMS organization, responsible for curriculum and competency checks while also maintaining a field schedule. |
| 10/31/2024 | Flight Paramedic (Night Shifts) | 40.0 h | 87,000 $ | 87,000 $ | 7,250 $ | 41.83 $ | I work full time as a flight paramedic primarily on night rotations, which include significant overtime opportunities. I've been here five years. |
| 08/03/2024 | Paramedic (Private Clinic Transport) | 38.0 h | 58,000 $ | 61,053 $ | 5,088 $ | 29.35 $ | I run scheduled critical care transports for a large clinic system and average about 38 hours per week. I have four years experience in this specialty. |
| 07/22/2024 | EMS Program Manager | 44.0 h | 93,000 $ | 84,545 $ | 7,045 $ | 40.65 $ | I serve as program manager for EMS operations, overseeing quality assurance and staffing. This is a management role and I work roughly 44 hours per week. |
| 04/09/2024 | Senior Paramedic / Educator | 40.0 h | 72,000 $ | 72,000 $ | 6,000 $ | 34.62 $ | I split time between field work and running clinical education for paramedics at a mid-sized EMS company. I've been in this mix role for four years. |
| 03/28/2024 | Paramedic / Quality Improvement | 40.0 h | 71,000 $ | 71,000 $ | 5,917 $ | 34.13 $ | I work in quality improvement for an EMS service and still respond to calls. The role includes data analysis and protocol review and is full time. |
| 01/17/2024 | Paramedic (Part-Time) | 28.0 h | 34,000 $ | 48,571 $ | 4,048 $ | 23.35 $ | I work part time doing community outreach and non-emergency transport. This role is steady while I pursue additional certifications. |
| 11/02/2023 | Senior Flight Paramedic | 40.0 h | 98,000 $ | 98,000 $ | 8,167 $ | 47.12 $ | I am a senior flight paramedic with advanced certifications and preceptor responsibilities. My schedule is full time with frequent international transfers. |
| 06/19/2023 | Paramedic - Supervisor (Large Agency) | 44.0 h | 84,000 $ | 76,364 $ | 6,364 $ | 36.71 $ | I manage a large field team in a municipal EMS agency and handle administrative duties in addition to being on-call. This supervisory role averages 44 hours weekly. |
| 03/08/2023 | Community Paramedic | 37.5 h | 59,000 $ | 62,933 $ | 5,244 $ | 30.26 $ | I work full time as a community paramedic with a focus on chronic care follow-ups and social determinants of health. I've been in the role three years. |
| 02/25/2023 | Paramedic / Training Officer | 40.0 h | 69,000 $ | 69,000 $ | 5,750 $ | 33.17 $ | I oversee continuing education and certification processes while responding to calls. This combined role is full time and I've been in it two years. |
| 11/10/2022 | Paramedic (Private Contractor) | 40.0 h | 70,000 $ | 70,000 $ | 5,833 $ | 33.65 $ | I work as a contracted paramedic on special-event medic teams and private transports. My contract is full time and I manage my own schedule to some extent. |
| 07/29/2022 | Flight Paramedic | 38.0 h | 82,000 $ | 86,316 $ | 7,193 $ | 41.50 $ | I am a flight paramedic working for an aeromedical operator covering critical interfacility transfers. I work irregular shifts but average a full-time schedule. |
| 02/20/2022 | EMS Supervisor | 42.0 h | 76,000 $ | 72,381 $ | 6,032 $ | 34.80 $ | I work as an EMS supervisor overseeing multiple crews and scheduling. This is a management position and I work about 42 hours per week. |
| 12/03/2021 | Lead Paramedic | 40.0 h | 65,000 $ | 65,000 $ | 5,417 $ | 31.25 $ | I'm the lead paramedic on my shift for a large municipal department. I coordinate crews and respond to complex calls; I've held this role two years. |
| 05/11/2021 | EMS Trainer / Paramedic | 36.0 h | 60,000 $ | 66,667 $ | 5,556 $ | 32.05 $ | I split duties between field work and training new staff at a medium EMS provider. I consider this a full-time role and have been in it three years. |
| 11/06/2020 | Paramedic (Night Shift) | 40.0 h | 54,000 $ | 54,000 $ | 4,500 $ | 25.96 $ | I work full time nights on a 12-hour rotating schedule for a large private ambulance company. Night differential improved pay in recent years. |
| 09/21/2020 | Senior Paramedic | 40.0 h | 56,000 $ | 56,000 $ | 4,667 $ | 26.92 $ | I am a senior-level paramedic with responsibilities for advanced life support calls and training new hires. I've been here seven years. |
| 03/14/2020 | Paramedic | 40.0 h | 52,000 $ | 52,000 $ | 4,333 $ | 25.00 $ | I work full time in urban EMS response. During the pandemic my hourly pay increased and I've been at this employer for four years. |
| 11/05/2019 | Paramedic | 40.0 h | 51,200 $ | 51,200 $ | 4,267 $ | 24.62 $ | I'm a career paramedic working full time for a municipal ambulance service. I've been here eight years and do rotating shifts including nights. |
| 07/19/2019 | Paramedic (Part-Time) | 20.0 h | 24,200 $ | 48,400 $ | 4,033 $ | 23.27 $ | I work part time nights on a 20-hour schedule for a small private service while going to school. This is my first paid paramedic role. |
| 02/27/2019 | Paramedic - Hospital Transport | 40.0 h | 48,000 $ | 48,000 $ | 4,000 $ | 23.08 $ | I work full time doing interfacility transports and critical transfers for a hospital system. I'm in my fifth year and handle both BLS and ALS transports. |
| 10/15/2018 | Senior Paramedic | 38.0 h | 45,600 $ | 48,000 $ | 4,000 $ | 23.08 $ | I'm a senior paramedic at a large private EMS provider. I mentor newer staff and run the truck when on duty; I've been here six years. |
| 06/30/2018 | Paramedic | 40.0 h | 42,200 $ | 42,200 $ | 3,517 $ | 20.29 $ | I work full time as a paramedic in high-volume urban 911 response. I've been here four years and regularly take extra shifts when available. |
| 02/14/2018 | Advanced Paramedic | 40.0 h | 47,000 $ | 47,000 $ | 3,917 $ | 22.60 $ | I am an advanced paramedic with extra certifications working full time for a small EMS provider. I've been here four years and primarily handle ALS calls. |
| 09/10/2017 | Community Paramedic (Part-Time) | 32.0 h | 30,500 $ | 38,125 $ | 3,177 $ | 18.33 $ | I work part time as a community paramedic providing follow-up care in neighborhoods. I've been with the non-profit for 18 months. |
| 06/16/2017 | Paramedic (Part-Time Weekend) | 22.0 h | 29,800 $ | 54,182 $ | 4,515 $ | 26.05 $ | I cover weekend shifts as a part-time paramedic while I finish an advanced degree. The schedule is predictable and averages 22 hours weekly. |
| 04/22/2017 | Field Paramedic | 40.0 h | 39,000 $ | 39,000 $ | 3,250 $ | 18.75 $ | I am a field paramedic employed by a medium-sized private EMS company. I've been on the job three years and work a standard 40-hour schedule. |
| 12/28/2016 | Paramedic (Reserve / Part-Time) | 16.0 h | 33,000 $ | 82,500 $ | 6,875 $ | 39.66 $ | I work as a reserve paramedic for a municipal system, picking up on-call and weekend shifts. This is intentionally part time while I work another job. |
| 11/03/2016 | Paramedic (Part-Time) | 24.0 h | 28,200 $ | 47,000 $ | 3,917 $ | 22.60 $ | I work part time as a paramedic for a local hospital's transport team. I've been here two years and cover evening shifts only. |
| 08/05/2016 | Paramedic | 36.0 h | 35,000 $ | 38,889 $ | 3,241 $ | 18.70 $ | I am an entry-level paramedic working full time for a small private ambulance service. I have been here 10 months and handle 12-hour day shifts; I don't supervise others. |
Chicago’s scale, density, and round-the-clock events make paramedics essential members of the city’s public safety and healthcare network. The metro is home to multiple Level I trauma centers, two major airports, a large transit system, and severe weather swings that can challenge field operations. National projections from federal sources point to steady growth for EMTs and paramedics in the coming years, and Chicago typically mirrors that trend thanks to high call volumes, interfacility transport needs, and ongoing investment in emergency medical services.
Local demand is influenced by several factors: an aging population that uses EMS more frequently, continued focus on opioid overdose response, and large-scale events such as the Chicago Marathon, concerts at Grant Park, and major league sports. The city has also piloted newer response models—such as mental health co-responder teams—where paramedics work alongside clinicians, which can open additional avenues for experienced providers.
The Chicago–Naperville–Elgin metro area is one of the nation’s largest healthcare labor markets, and emergency medical services are a visible part of that ecosystem. The Chicago Fire Department (CFD) provides 911 prehospital care within city limits, operating a large fleet of advanced life support ambulances. Surrounding suburbs rely on municipal fire departments or contracted providers, and the region’s hospitals generate steady demand for interfacility and critical care transport.
Paramedics in Chicago practice under Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) licensure and often work within the Chicago EMS Region XI system overseen by designated resource hospitals. Employers commonly look for current Illinois Paramedic licensure, National Registry (NREMT) credentials, ACLS, PALS, and trauma courses such as PHTLS or ITLS. Many roles also require a clean driving record, background check, and the ability to navigate dense urban traffic and high-rise environments, including safe operations during winter storms and extreme heat.
Hiring tends to be steady because EMS runs 24/7 and agencies must cover nights, weekends, and holidays. Interfacility and event medicine assignments can expand during peak seasons, while airport operations at O’Hare and Midway further elevate transport needs. Hospitals across the city frequently post openings for emergency department support roles and transport teams staffed by experienced paramedics.
Several public and private organizations hire paramedics in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. Examples include:
Paramedics in Chicago can pursue several tracks. City 911 operations offer high-acuity experience in trauma, cardiac emergencies, and complex medical calls. Private ambulance companies provide interfacility and specialty transports, which can be a strong pathway to critical care roles. Many hospitals hire paramedics as emergency department technicians or on ground and air transport teams, where additional certifications such as CCEMTP, CFRN, or FP-C may be valued.
Chicago also supports evolving models of care, including community paramedicine and behavioral health co-responder programs, where providers help connect patients to resources beyond the emergency department. Event medicine is another niche, with concerts, festivals, and professional sports creating consistent standby opportunities that require strong crowd-management and multi-agency coordination skills.
Advancement can include becoming a field training officer or preceptor, moving into operations supervision within private services, or transitioning to firefighter–paramedic roles in municipal departments. Some paramedics leverage their field experience into allied healthcare careers such as nursing, physician assistant studies, respiratory therapy, or emergency management.
Prospective candidates can strengthen their applications by maintaining robust continuing education, gaining familiarity with Region XI protocols, and building competencies in urban navigation, patient movement in high-rise settings, cold-weather operations, and compassionate communication. Local paramedic education programs—such as those offered by City Colleges of Chicago (e.g., Malcolm X College) and resource hospitals—regularly provide courses and refreshers that help paramedics stay current with Chicago-specific practices.
The average salary for a Paramedic in Chicago is 65,364 $ per year on a 40-hour basis, or 5,447 $ gross per month.
Part-time and full-time reports are normalized to a 40-hour workweek so salary reports can be compared fairly.
You can find more comparisons on the profession overview for Paramedic and the city overview for Chicago. They show reported cities or jobs with their difference from the average.
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