Paramedic salary in Illinois
Paramedics in Illinois earn a median of $60,660 a year ($29.16 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,890 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,810 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $60,600. Illinois ranks 22nd of 51 states for paramedics pay. There are 0.64 paramedics per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $72,570, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for paramedics in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,210 | $22.70 |
| 25th percentile | $49,650 | $23.87 |
| Median | $60,660 | $29.16 |
| 75th percentile | $106,810 | $51.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,810 | $51.35 |
| Average (mean) | $72,570 | $34.89 |
Half of paramedics earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,055 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,527.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,333.08 |
| Weekly | $1,166.54 |
| Hourly | $29.16 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Paramedic salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $77,670 | 2,560 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $63,050 | 1,890 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $53,980 | 60 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $51,660 | 130 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $51,650 | 30 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $50,100 | 60 |
| Peoria, IL | $49,440 | 210 |
Highest-paying states for paramedics
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $104,310 |
| New Jersey | $86,630 |
| Hawaii | $81,280 |
| District of Columbia | $78,550 |
| Connecticut | $77,480 |
| Minnesota | $76,300 |
| Oregon | $74,840 |
| California | $74,590 |
| New York | $73,200 |
| Alaska | $71,860 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician | $46,650 | $22.43 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $75,000 | $36.06 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $71,950 | $34.59 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $46,200 | $22.21 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $42,260 | $20.32 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $79,930 | $38.43 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $56,440 | $27.14 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $46,440 | $22.33 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $49,930 | $24.00 |
| Surgical Technologist | $64,650 | $31.08 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $100,660 | $48.40 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $47,100 | $22.64 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $43,960 | $21.14 |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist | $95,380 | $45.86 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-2043. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a paramedic make in Illinois?
The median salary for paramedics in Illinois is $60,660 a year, or $29.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid paramedics make in Illinois?
The top 10% of paramedics in Illinois earn at least $106,810 a year. The top 25% earn $106,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for paramedics in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,210 a year, and a quarter of paramedics earn $49,650 or less.
How many paramedics work in Illinois?
About 3,890 paramedics are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.