Students who are looking for a fast-paced healthcare career might be interested in learning more about EMT salary in Colorado. EMTs provide critical support for people who are in need of emergency medical care. EMT salary depends greatly on several factors: the region in which the EMT works, what role they are in and the level of training they have received.
EMT Levels
Colorado’s Department of Public Health and Environment recently underwent changes to align their EMT levels with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NEMT) guidelines that are quickly becoming the standard for EMTs in the United States. This shift impacted the EMT-Basic by renaming their program to simply EMT. The state added the credential Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT), and EMT-Intermediate 99s just became simply EMT Intermediates (EMT-I). While these changes were fairly sweeping, this move served to align the levels exactly with the national standards for more continuity certification throughout the country.
EMT Training
EMT training programs in Colorado can be found in colleges, vocational schools and other training sites. All training sites must meet the exacting standards set forth in the NREMT programming. EMT training for an entry level EMT includes modules in advanced first aid techniques, safe transporting, hemorrhage control and other content that might be pertinent to an EMTs practice.
AEMTs in Colorado are required to have 36 hours in additional education to cover topics that go beyond the training at the EMT level. EMT-Is have even more additional training related to pharmacology, IV administration and medication dosages. EMTs who have graduated from any approved Colorado program can take the National Registry EMT certification exam for their individual level. Upon successful completion of the test, EMTs, AEMTs and EMT-Is are permitted to apply for Colorado licensure.
EMT Roles
Many career paths are available for EMTs in California. Some EMTs choose to work in the public sector as ambulance workers or for public parks. Additionally, EMTs can be found all over Colorado in schools, hospitals and doctor’s offices working as a part of the triage staff. EMT salary expectations depend upon where the EMT works in the community. All EMTs play a role in the efficiency of the healthcare system because they provide crucial emergency care before and during transport to the hospital.
How Much Does An EMT Make in Colorado
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which compiles salary and outlook information for a variety of careers in the United States, estimates the 2010 national salary average for EMTs to have been approximately $34,030. EMT salary in Colorado is below this median salary and varies depending not only on the years of experience, but also on the city in which one works and the type of wok done by the EMT. In Denver, Colorado, the median salary is estimated at $30,484. In Fort Collins, CO, EMTs earn $28,087. And in Pueblo, EMTs can expect to make slightly less than their Fort Collins counterparts, earning $26,859 in a year.
Job Outlook
The job outlook for EMTs is positive. According to the BLS, EMT jobs are expected to grow by 33% by the year 2020.
