Paramedics
SOC Code: 29-2043
Paramedics carries a 28% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $58,410 and +5.0% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 101,900 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 28% AI exposure, Paramedics 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 Paramedics sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Paramedics 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.
Paramedics vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Paramedics 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
Paramedics (SOC 29-2043) 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 101,900 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +5.0% change through 2034 - modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $58,410, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Postsecondary nondegree award, plus Less than 5 years 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 Paramedics. 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 drugs, orally or by injection, or perform intravenous procedures.
- 2. Administer first aid treatment or life support care to sick or injured persons in prehospital settings.
- 3. Assess nature and extent of illness or injury to establish and prioritize medical procedures.
- 4. Attend training classes to maintain certification licensure, keep abreast of new developments in the field, or maintain existing knowledge.
- 5. Comfort and reassure patients.
- 6. Coordinate with treatment center personnel to obtain patients' vital statistics and medical history, to determine the circumstances of the emergency, and to administer emergency treatment.
- 7. Coordinate work with other emergency medical team members or police or fire department personnel.
- 8. Instruct emergency medical response team about emergency interventions to ensure correct application of procedures.
- 9. Observe, record, and report to physician the patient's condition or injury, the treatment provided, and reactions to drugs or treatment.
- 10. Operate equipment, such as electrocardiograms (EKGs), external defibrillators, or bag valve mask resuscitators, in advanced life support environments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Paramedics?
Paramedics 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 Paramedics?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Paramedics is projected to grow by 5.0% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 101,900 workers.
What skills are needed for Paramedics?
Paramedics requires a combination of technical knowledge and interpersonal skills. Typical education requirement: Postsecondary nondegree award.
How much do Paramedics earn?
The median annual wage for Paramedics is $58,410, 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 Paramedics?
The typical entry-level education for Paramedics is Postsecondary nondegree award. Employers generally expect Less than 5 years of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves None. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Paramedics?
Paramedics 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).