Jobs · Chicago, IL

Paramedic Jobs in Chicago, IL: Pay and Who's Hiring

In Chicago, the May 2025 median for paramedics is about $77.7K, 28% over the U.S. median. The middle half runs from $59.8K to $106.8K.

Pay

The median is the middle of paramedics already employed, not a starting wage. The 25th is the lower quarter of that group. The 75th is what the upper quarter already earns.

Percentile	Metro	IL	U.S.
25th	$59,840	$49,650	$49,660
Median	$77,670	$60,660	$60,600
75th	$106,810	$106,810	$73,470

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

Hiring difficulty and demand

Hiring difficulty

2.8

Metro employment

2,560

National growth, 2025 to 2035

5.7%

National openings a year

4.3 thousand

This is the same score as the free check.

Who's hiring

Air Angels, 2 campuses
Fox Lake Fire Protection District, 2 campuses
Hinckley Fire Protection District, 2 campuses
Lifenet, 2 campuses
1st Response EMS, 1 campuses
1st Response Ems, 1 campuses

Campuses on file in the provider extract, not live job ads.

License and training

Every state licenses or certifies paramedics. Most use the National Registry paramedic exam as part of the path. Confirm your state EMS office's rules before you hire or start.

Sources: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, EMTs and paramedics

The work

You check the truck and its drugs, answer calls, treat the patient, and transport them to the right hospital. Then you write the report and restock before the next call comes in.

Shifts can be 12 or 24 hours long, depending on the service and the county. The work is physical, and some calls stay with you long after the shift ends.

Nearby metros

Kenosha, WI · 53 miles
Racine, WI · 62 miles
South Bend, IN · 74 miles
Milwaukee, WI · 86 miles

Related roles

One manager hiring: Hire a Paramedic in Chicago.

Paramedics hiring pages

Upload your resume, see your match score, and let local employers find you

Questions

Who hires paramedics in Chicago?

Ambulance services, fire departments, and hospitals hire paramedics in Chicago. Organizations on file in the provider extract include Air Angels, Fox Lake Fire Protection District, Hinckley Fire Protection District.

How do I get licensed as a paramedic in Illinois?

Start with the Illinois EMS office. Most states use the National Registry exam as part of the path.

What should an ambulance service in Chicago weigh when hiring?

Ask about lead experience and shift fit. Chicago has slightly fewer of these workers than a typical metro. This metro is 28% over the Illinois median.