Current statistics indicate that the median salary for air paramedics in the USA today is $38,394. Of course, there are variations in actuality, and this is due to a number of reasons. To better understand where your chances lie in getting a competitive air paramedic salary, you need to study the different factors that could influence the number of digits that will constitute your income.

Perhaps the foremost factor that could dictate the level of pay is the place of your employment. This means the facility that you would be working on. As a flight paramedic, your choices of employer include hospitals, nursing homes, government offices, and other health care facilities. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the biggest bulk of paramedics in the US today are employed in private companies providing ambulatory health care services, followed by those working for local government offices. Those hired by the government are registered to be earning more than the annual median income, though the difference with that earned by paramedics in the private sector is only minimal. You have to keep in mind, though, that the exposure of a paramedic job to hazards and risks could indicate better pay. However, if you think you wouldn’t be up for the challenge, it’s best to keep to the safer ones.

Aside from the facility where you would be working, equally influential, of course, is your location. The bigger states that are currently experiencing growing demands for paramedic services tend to offer the most competitive salary packages for paramedics today. This is because of the active paramedic market in these places, plus the factor of the relatively higher costs of living that is often factored into the rates paramedics get. These states include Washington, Maryland, Illinois, Hawaii, and Washington DC. Reportedly, you could earn as much as $50,000 and even more, in these areas. Among such states, however, Washington DC is reported to hold the top annual pay for paramedics at $49,000. When it comes to cities, Tacoma, Idaho and Anchorage are reported to be the most generous in their flight paramedic salaries, which are all above $50,000.

Of course, your chances of getting access to such top-paying jobs also depend on your experience. If you’re new to the field, it’s most likely that you’ll get an entry-level job. Wages for entry-level positions is usually pegged at $20,000 to $25,000. Moving up into the $40,000 salary range usually entails at least four years of experience, with updated skills and training. Getting at least nine years of experience in the field could entitle you to an annual income of up to $60,000. Ultimately, more than fifteen years of experience in the profession, coupled with a wide array of acquired skills and training programs, could lead you to earning more than $70,000.

Finally, your training background plays another important role in determining your air paramedic salary. If you’re particularly trained under a paramedic program, and not under an EMT one, your chances of landing high-paying jobs in the top cities are higher.