The average salary for a Paramedic in Tucson is 56,434 $ per year on a 40-hour full-time equivalent, or 4,703 $ gross per month and 27.13 $ gross per hour. The reported full-time salary range is 32,000 $ to 92,000 $. The analysis is based on 43 salary reports from workers and employers in Tucson. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06/01/2026 | Entry-Level Paramedic | 40.0 h | 44,000 $ | 44,000 $ | 3,667 $ | 21.15 $ | I was hired recently as an entry-level medic in 2026; wages have improved since earlier in the decade. I work standard full-time shifts and this is my current annual pay. |
| 05/09/2026 | Paramedic — EMS Program Director (Assistant) | 45.0 h | 90,000 $ | 80,000 $ | 6,667 $ | 38.46 $ | I serve as assistant program director overseeing operations and compliance across the EMS system. My role is administrative and I average about 45 hours per week with a commensurate salary. |
| 04/25/2026 | Paramedic Supervisor — Large Urban EMS | 45.0 h | 88,000 $ | 78,222 $ | 6,519 $ | 37.61 $ | I'm a supervisor in a large urban EMS system; the role requires oversight, budgeting input, and frequent on-call availability. I average around 45 hours due to administrative duties and incident management. |
| 03/02/2026 | Paramedic / Clinical Coordinator | 40.0 h | 82,000 $ | 82,000 $ | 6,833 $ | 39.42 $ | I coordinate clinical quality and protocol compliance across several stations and still do occasional field shifts. The coordinator role is salaried and comes with additional responsibilities. |
| 01/19/2026 | Paramedic — Specialty Transport | 40.0 h | 59,000 $ | 59,000 $ | 4,917 $ | 28.37 $ | I work specialty patient transports (critical-care transfers) for a regional company. The job requires additional certifications and pays a premium on top of base salary. |
| 11/30/2025 | Self-Employed Paramedic Consultant | 32.0 h | 68,000 $ | 85,000 $ | 7,083 $ | 40.87 $ | I run a small consultancy providing training and protocol reviews for local EMS agencies. I average about 32 hours per week and bill at higher hourly rates that translate to this annual income. |
| 09/13/2025 | Senior Lead Paramedic | 44.0 h | 76,000 $ | 69,091 $ | 5,758 $ | 33.22 $ | I lead operations for a busy EMS district and often work extended hours during major incidents. The leadership role and mandated overtime push my annual earnings up. |
| 08/04/2025 | Paramedic / Operations Lead | 42.0 h | 74,000 $ | 70,476 $ | 5,873 $ | 33.88 $ | I manage day-to-day operations for a busy district and still take clinical calls. The hybrid management-clinical role averages about 42 hours per week and includes a leadership premium. |
| 06/21/2025 | Paramedic — Hospital Transport | 40.0 h | 48,000 $ | 48,000 $ | 4,000 $ | 23.08 $ | I handle interfacility transports for a hospital-affiliated transport team. The work is steady 40-hour weeks with occasional extra shifts for coverages. |
| 03/08/2025 | Part-Time Community Paramedic | 30.0 h | 30,000 $ | 40,000 $ | 3,333 $ | 19.23 $ | I work part-time in a community outreach program focusing on follow-up care and non-emergency transports. My hours average 30 per week and include some weekend work. |
| 02/11/2025 | Paramedic — Flight Program (Local) | 40.0 h | 92,000 $ | 92,000 $ | 7,667 $ | 44.23 $ | I work as a flight-capable paramedic for regional air transport. The role required extra flight and critical-care training and pays significantly more than ground-only positions. |
| 12/29/2024 | Paramedic / Shift Manager | 40.0 h | 72,000 $ | 72,000 $ | 6,000 $ | 34.62 $ | I was promoted to a shift manager position overseeing crews across multiple stations. This is a full-time management role with administrative duties in addition to clinical work. |
| 09/11/2024 | Paramedic — Private Contractor | 40.0 h | 52,000 $ | 52,000 $ | 4,333 $ | 25.00 $ | I work for a private contractor covering events and routine EMS. My schedule is steady full-time and includes event-based premium pay that increased my overall income. |
| 07/06/2024 | Paramedic / Quality Improvement Lead | 40.0 h | 70,000 $ | 70,000 $ | 5,833 $ | 33.65 $ | I lead QA/QI initiatives for an EMS agency and analyze run data to improve clinical outcomes. This administrative/clinical hybrid position is full-time and better compensated. |
| 05/30/2024 | Senior Paramedic — Large Provider | 40.0 h | 61,000 $ | 61,000 $ | 5,083 $ | 29.33 $ | I work full-time for a large regional ambulance provider. I have extensive clinical experience and sometimes pick up overtime, but reported salary here is base annual pay at 40 hours. |
| 03/26/2024 | Paramedic — Rapid Response Team | 40.0 h | 59,500 $ | 59,500 $ | 4,958 $ | 28.61 $ | I work on a rapid response unit handling high-acuity medical emergencies. The specialized nature of the work and certifications justify the higher salary than basic field positions. |
| 02/14/2024 | Paramedic / EMS Trainer | 38.0 h | 58,000 $ | 61,053 $ | 5,088 $ | 29.35 $ | I split time between field shifts and formal training sessions for new hires. My weekly average is around 38 hours and the training responsibilities boost my compensation. |
| 11/27/2023 | Lead Paramedic — County | 44.0 h | 69,000 $ | 62,727 $ | 5,227 $ | 30.16 $ | As a lead paramedic for the county, I manage daily field operations and fill gaps in leadership. The schedule includes mandatory overtime during high-demand periods, averaging 44 hours. |
| 08/09/2023 | Part-Time Paramedic | 28.0 h | 28,000 $ | 40,000 $ | 3,333 $ | 19.23 $ | I picked up part-time evening shifts while working another job. I average about 28 hours per week; the hourly rate is higher but annual earnings are lower due to limited hours. |
| 06/29/2023 | Senior Paramedic / Regional Trainer | 40.0 h | 65,000 $ | 65,000 $ | 5,417 $ | 31.25 $ | I supervise clinical education across several stations and occasionally teach at the academy. The training role increased my compensation relative to straight field work. |
| 04/18/2023 | Paramedic Supervisor | 42.0 h | 63,000 $ | 60,000 $ | 5,000 $ | 28.85 $ | I was promoted to supervisor and now handle scheduling and oversight in addition to some fieldwork. The role requires more hours and includes a supervisory stipend. |
| 01/16/2023 | Paramedic / Training Officer | 38.0 h | 60,000 $ | 63,158 $ | 5,263 $ | 30.36 $ | I run in-service training and certs for crews and work a steady 38-hour week. Training responsibilities earn me a decent bump over a straight field medic position. |
| 11/02/2022 | Senior Paramedic / Medic II | 40.0 h | 56,500 $ | 56,500 $ | 4,708 $ | 27.16 $ | With over a decade in EMS, I moved into a senior medic role handling higher-acuity calls. I'm full-time and have seen steady raises tied to experience and certifications. |
| 07/15/2022 | Community Paramedic | 36.0 h | 53,000 $ | 58,889 $ | 4,907 $ | 28.31 $ | I was in a community paramedicine pilot program focusing on home visits and preventative care. The role averages about 36 hours weekly and includes specialty training pay. |
| 03/05/2022 | Paramedic — Private Ambulance | 40.0 h | 46,000 $ | 46,000 $ | 3,833 $ | 22.12 $ | I worked full-time for a private ambulance contractor. The job had steady hours and benefits but fewer raises than municipal positions. |
| 01/25/2022 | Paramedic — Tribal Health Services | 40.0 h | 51,000 $ | 51,000 $ | 4,250 $ | 24.52 $ | I work full-time for a tribal health EMS program, handling both emergency and non-emergency transports. Pay is competitive for the region and includes benefits. |
| 11/22/2021 | Advanced Paramedic | 40.0 h | 50,000 $ | 50,000 $ | 4,167 $ | 24.04 $ | I'm an advanced-certified paramedic with about eight years' experience working primarily day shifts for a municipal EMS provider. Pay improved after my additional certifications. |
| 08/03/2021 | Paramedic Instructor | 38.0 h | 54,000 $ | 56,842 $ | 4,737 $ | 27.33 $ | I transitioned into an instructor role for continuing education and certification classes at a mid-sized training organization. I work roughly 38 hours per week and also do occasional clinical shifts. |
| 05/06/2021 | Paramedic — Remote/Per Diem | 20.0 h | 35,000 $ | 70,000 $ | 5,833 $ | 33.65 $ | I pick up per diem shifts at rural clinics and covers. My schedule averages 20 hours per week and income fluctuates based on availability and demand. |
| 02/17/2021 | Part-Time Paramedic | 24.0 h | 24,000 $ | 40,000 $ | 3,333 $ | 19.23 $ | I work part-time evenings for a private EMS company while going to school. I average about 24 hours per week and my annual pay reflects that reduced schedule. |
| 11/30/2020 | Paramedic / Shift Lead | 40.0 h | 52,500 $ | 52,500 $ | 4,375 $ | 25.24 $ | I served as a shift lead at a city ambulance service, coordinating crews during my shift. The lead role came with extra compensation and I worked a standard full-time schedule. |
| 09/07/2020 | Entry-Level Paramedic | 38.0 h | 38,000 $ | 40,000 $ | 3,333 $ | 19.23 $ | I was recently certified and employed at a mid-size EMS company. The 2020s saw pay rises compared to the decade before; I'm full-time and learning on the job. |
| 05/14/2020 | Senior Paramedic | 40.0 h | 48,000 $ | 48,000 $ | 4,000 $ | 23.08 $ | I was a senior field paramedic for a large EMS contractor with seven years of experience. I worked full-time and handled more complex calls which helped my pay. |
| 01/08/2020 | Paramedic — Small Private Company | 40.0 h | 48,500 $ | 48,500 $ | 4,042 $ | 23.32 $ | I work full-time for a small private ambulance company that covers suburban areas. My pay includes some call-back premiums and annual step increases. |
| 10/09/2019 | Paramedic — Fire Department | 42.0 h | 47,000 $ | 44,762 $ | 3,730 $ | 21.52 $ | I worked as a department paramedic with firefighter certification. My schedule includes long shifts and mandatory overtime, so weekly averages run a bit higher than a typical 40-hour job. |
| 06/02/2019 | Paramedic — Event Medical Lead | 36.0 h | 57,000 $ | 63,333 $ | 5,278 $ | 30.45 $ | I coordinate medical coverage for large events and maintain a part field/part planning schedule averaging 36 hours per week. Event premiums increase annual pay. |
| 03/21/2019 | Mid-Level Paramedic | 40.0 h | 39,500 $ | 39,500 $ | 3,292 $ | 18.99 $ | I had about five years of experience at a mid-sized private ambulance service. I'm full-time but not in management; pay increased slowly over time. |
| 12/05/2018 | Paramedic / FTO | 38.0 h | 42,000 $ | 44,211 $ | 3,684 $ | 21.26 $ | I took on Field Training Officer responsibilities and work slightly more structured 10-hour day shifts, averaging 38 hours per week. The extra training duties came with a small premium. |
| 06/27/2018 | Paramedic — County EMS | 40.0 h | 37,600 $ | 37,600 $ | 3,133 $ | 18.08 $ | I worked for the county EMS system in a full-time role. I had three years on the job and saw modest wage increases compared to private companies. |
| 02/10/2018 | Per Diem Paramedic | 15.0 h | 22,000 $ | 58,667 $ | 4,889 $ | 28.21 $ | I work strictly per diem shifts as supplemental income and average only about 15 hours per week. Hourly pay is decent but annual earnings are limited by hours. |
| 11/12/2017 | Field Paramedic | 40.0 h | 35,800 $ | 35,800 $ | 2,983 $ | 17.21 $ | Working for a small private provider in the city, I ran 24/48 shifts that average out to about 40 hours. I was fairly new with two years of experience when I reported this pay. |
| 04/03/2017 | Paramedic | 36.0 h | 34,500 $ | 38,333 $ | 3,194 $ | 18.43 $ | I was hired by a municipal EMS service as a recent grad and worked a steady 36-hour schedule. I had limited overtime and no supervisory duties. |
| 08/19/2016 | Entry-Level Paramedic | 40.0 h | 32,000 $ | 32,000 $ | 2,667 $ | 15.38 $ | I started as a freshly certified paramedic at a small private ambulance company. I'm full-time working 12-hour shifts that average out to about 40 hours per week. This was my first EMS job and the pay reflected my lack of experience. |
Tucson’s emergency medical services (EMS) ecosystem is robust and active, giving Paramedics a steady pipeline of opportunities across fire-based 9-1-1 response, private ambulance transport, hospitals, and specialty care. Anchored by the University of Arizona, multiple hospital systems, and a year-round tourism and events calendar, the metro area often experiences consistent EMS call volumes. Seasonal factors—winter visitors, summer heat, and the monsoon—also shape demand and create varied clinical exposure for Paramedics working in the city and surrounding Pima County communities.
Local employers typically seek Arizona-certified Paramedics and often prefer or require NREMT credentials. BLS, ACLS, and PALS/PEPP are widely requested, while advanced certifications like PHTLS/ITLS, CCP-C, or FP-C can help candidates stand out for specialized roles. Agencies commonly look for strong patient communication skills, cultural competence, and the ability to operate in desert conditions.
Tucson’s EMS model blends fire department first response with ambulance transport providers and a dense hospital network. Tucson Fire Department (TFD) staffs firefighter-paramedics on many units for 9-1-1 response within the city. In the broader metro, fire districts such as Northwest Fire District, Golder Ranch Fire District, Drexel Heights Fire District, Rincon Valley Fire District, and Green Valley Fire District also deploy ALS resources. Ambulance transport in the area is commonly provided by state-authorized companies such as American Medical Response (AMR), which typically handle both 9-1-1 transports and interfacility transfers.
On the hospital side, Banner – University Medical Center Tucson is recognized as a Level I Trauma Center, with Banner – University Medical Center South, Tucson Medical Center, Carondelet St. Joseph’s Hospital, Carondelet St. Mary’s Hospital, Northwest Medical Center (including the Houghton campus), and the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System rounding out a diverse set of receiving facilities. This concentration of hospitals supports roles for Paramedics in emergency departments, observation units, specialty transport teams, and clinical support positions.
Hiring demand in Tucson is driven by a growing and aging regional population, heavy summer heat that can increase dehydration and heat-related calls, I-10 and I-19 traffic corridors that contribute to trauma volume, and outdoor recreation in areas like Sabino Canyon and the Catalina Mountains. The city’s proximity to the U.S.–Mexico border can add unique incident profiles, and major events—such as University of Arizona athletics and the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show—periodically raise staffing needs. Agencies often recruit year-round to manage 24/7 operations, retirements, and turnover common to high-tempo EMS work.
Paramedics in Tucson can pursue roles with municipal departments, fire districts, private ambulance providers, hospitals, and air medical programs. Examples include:
Paramedics in Tucson can build careers across several tracks. Fire-based EMS offers firefighter-paramedic roles with opportunities in technical rescue, hazardous materials, and wildland deployment, as well as advancement into field training officer, captain, or EMS supervisor positions. Private ambulance providers commonly offer 9-1-1 and interfacility assignments, critical care transport teams for higher-acuity transfers, and pathways to field leadership or operations management.
Hospitals in the metro frequently hire Paramedics as emergency department technicians, patient flow coordinators, or members of specialty transport teams. Exposure to a Level I trauma environment at Banner – University Medical Center Tucson can be valuable for skill development. Air medical programs typically seek Paramedics with strong ALS experience and advanced certifications (e.g., FP-C or CCP-C) for helicopter and fixed-wing roles.
Several agencies in and around Tucson have explored community paramedicine or mobile integrated health initiatives, focusing on frequent 9-1-1 users, behavioral health, and chronic disease follow-up. These programs can provide alternative schedules and a different pace of patient interaction. Bilingual ability in English and Spanish is often a plus for field and hospital roles.
Prospective candidates generally benefit from maintaining NREMT status, completing trauma and pediatric advanced courses, and gaining familiarity with desert operations, monsoon-season hazards, and wilderness/mountain rescue considerations. Local training pipelines—such as Pima Community College’s paramedic education programs—support ongoing workforce development and continuing education for working professionals.
Overall, the Tucson market typically offers steady hiring for certified Paramedics, a wide range of clinical settings, and meaningful specialization options. The combination of high-acuity trauma, environmental medicine, and large-system hospital exposure makes Tucson a strong place to build foundational experience or to advance into supervisory, critical care, or flight positions over time.
The average salary for a Paramedic in Tucson is 56,434 $ per year on a 40-hour basis, or 4,703 $ 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 Tucson. They show reported cities or jobs with their difference from the average.
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