Paramedics: average salary and pay in the UK
Full-time paramedics in the UK earned a median £53,818 in the year to 5 April 2025, according to the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE): 38% more than the £39,039 median for all full-time jobs.
What the figures show
That ranks 40th of 382 occupations on this measure.
The middle half of full-time jobs paid between £45,499 and £60,860.
Median full-time pay: women £49,588 a year, men £54,331 a year.
ASHE counts roughly 43,000 employee jobs, 84% full-time.
Since 2021 it has risen 10.8%, from £908.40, slower than the 25.7% for all jobs.
The Annual Population Survey counts 37,800 people in this line of work across the UK.
Pay distribution, 2025 provisional
| Gross pay | Full-time, annual | Full-time, weekly | Full-time, hourly | All, annual | All, weekly | All, hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | £37,665 | £715.00 | £18.67 | £28,929* | £587.90 | £18.76 |
| 20th percentile | £41,190 | £795.80 | £21.18 | £36,925 | £711.20 | £21.25 |
| 25th percentile | £45,499 | £864.00 | £22.44 | £39,111 | £743.00 | £22.90 |
| 30th percentile | £46,896 | £892.80 | £23.25 | £41,177 | £789.30 | £23.53 |
| 40th percentile | £49,544 | £942.20 | £24.48 | £46,616 | £888.00 | £25.15 |
| Median (50th percentile) | £53,818 | £1,006.20 | £26.04 | £50,294 | £942.30 | £26.56 |
| 60th percentile | £56,229 | £1,081.70 | £28.10 | £53,968 | £1,020.30 | £28.56 |
| 70th percentile | £58,573 | £1,134.10 | £29.28 | £56,820 | £1,092.30 | £29.27 |
| 75th percentile | £60,860 | £1,168.20 | £29.92 | £58,546 | £1,133.30 | £29.93 |
| 80th percentile | £62,028 | £1,187.00 | £31.04 | £61,193 | £1,170.10 | £30.96 |
| Mean | £53,037 | £1,020.50 | £26.15 | £49,145 | £945.90 | £26.29 |
Pay since 2021
| ASHE year | Full-time, annual median | Full-time, weekly median | Full-time, hourly median | All, annual median | All, weekly median | Jobs (thousands, indicative) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 revised | – | £908.40 | £22.85 | – | £877.00 | 26* |
| 2022 revised | £49,892 | £982.20 | £25.07 | £47,258 | £959.40 | 31 |
| 2023 revised | £48,465 | £953.40 | £24.68 | £46,949 | £902.50 | 49 |
| 2024 revised | £54,333 | £975.40 | £24.73 | £52,089 | £920.20 | 41 |
| 2025 provisional | £53,818 | £1,006.20 | £26.04 | £50,294 | £942.30 | 43 |
Paramedics by region
UK: 37,800 (± 7,500), April 2025 to March 2026.
Annual Population Survey (Nomis)
What paramedics do
Paramedics provide first aid and life support treatment in emergency situations and transport sick and injured people who require skilled treatment. (ONS SOC 2020, 2255)
Also covers: ambulance paramedic, emergency care practitioner, paramedic, paramedic-ECP, HART paramedic and paramedic technician.
- Drives ambulance or accompanies driver to respond to calls for assistance at accidents, emergencies and other incidents
- Assesses the nature of injuries, provides first aid treatment and ascertains appropriate method of conveying patient
- Resuscitates and/or stabilises patient using relevant techniques, equipment and drugs
- Transports and accompanies patients who either require or potentially require skilled treatment whilst travelling
- Briefs other medical staff when handing over the patient, and completes patient report forms describing the patient’s condition and any treatment provided
Entry is via a student paramedic position with an ambulance service trust or completion of an approved full-time university course in paramedical science. Qualification requirements for entry to university courses vary (GCSEs, A levels or equivalent). A full, manual driving licence (with appropriate classifications) is required. Paramedics working in the NHS must be registered with the Health Professions Council.
Related
Other health professionals (median £47,939) · Medical radiographers · Podiatrists · salary percentile · UK real pay growth · Median
ASHE Table 14: 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 · coding index · notes · 15 October 2026