Loading...
Loading...
3-step progression from EMT to Physician Assistant. Potential salary increase of 222% from entry to advanced level.
Entry Salary
$41,340
EMT
Top Salary
$133,260
Physician Assistant
Total Steps
3
licenses
Median Salary
$41,340
EMT-Basic course (120-150 hours) + NREMT
Avg. Licensing Cost
$176 – $178
Avg. Timeline
8 weeks – 6 months
Median Salary
$58,410
Paramedic program (1-2 years) + NREMT-P
Avg. Licensing Cost
$291
Avg. Timeline
1.1 years – 1.9 years
Ready to start your Physician Assistant journey?
Compare approved training programs and find the best fit for your schedule and budget.
Median Salary
$133,260
Master's in PA Studies + PANCE
Avg. Licensing Cost
$1,784
Avg. Timeline
2.6 years – 3.1 years
The emergency medicine career ladder is a professional progression from EMT to Physician Assistant. It includes 3 licensing levels, each with increasing education, responsibility, and earning potential.
Advancing from EMT ($41,340 median) to Physician Assistant ($133,260 median) represents a 222% salary increase based on BLS national median data.
Each step requires additional education and licensing. EMT: EMT-Basic course (120-150 hours) + NREMT. Paramedic: Paramedic program (1-2 years) + NREMT-P. Physician Assistant: Master's in PA Studies + PANCE. The total time depends on the pace of your education and state-specific processing times.
Salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024 national medians. Licensing costs and timelines are averages across all US states derived from verified state licensing board data. Individual state requirements vary — see state-specific pages for details.