Emergency medical technicians
SOC Code: 29-2042
Emergency medical technicians carries a 28% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $41,340 and +5.1% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 181,000 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 28% AI exposure, Emergency medical technicians sits 9 points below the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 23% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Emergency medical technicians sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Emergency medical technicians has ai exposure of 28%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Emergency medical technicians vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Emergency medical technicians is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Emergency medical technicians (SOC 29-2042) carries an AI exposure score of 28%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 181,000 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +5.1% change through 2034 - modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $41,340, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Postsecondary nondegree award, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Emergency medical technicians. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Administer first aid treatment or life support care to sick or injured persons in prehospital settings.
- 2. Assess nature and extent of illness or injury to establish and prioritize medical procedures.
- 3. Attend training classes to maintain certification licensure, keep abreast of new developments in the field, or maintain existing knowledge.
- 4. Comfort and reassure patients.
- 5. Communicate with dispatchers or treatment center personnel to provide information about situation, to arrange reception of survivors, or to receive instructions for further treatment.
- 6. Coordinate work with other emergency medical team members or police or fire department personnel.
- 7. Decontaminate ambulance interior following treatment of patient with infectious disease, and report case to proper authorities.
- 8. Drive mobile intensive care unit to specified location, following instructions from emergency medical dispatcher.
- 9. Immobilize patient for placement on stretcher and ambulance transport, using backboard or other spinal immobilization device.
- 10. Maintain vehicles and medical and communication equipment, and replenish first aid equipment and supplies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Emergency medical technicians?
Emergency medical technicians has an AI exposure score of 28%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Emergency medical technicians?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Emergency medical technicians is projected to grow by 5.1% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 181,000 workers.
What skills are needed for Emergency medical technicians?
Emergency medical technicians requires a combination of technical knowledge and interpersonal skills. Typical education requirement: Postsecondary nondegree award.
How much do Emergency medical technicians earn?
The median annual wage for Emergency medical technicians is $41,340, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Emergency medical technicians?
The typical entry-level education for Emergency medical technicians is Postsecondary nondegree award. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves None. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Emergency medical technicians?
Emergency medical technicians roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).