Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians fall under the Transportation and Material Moving category in the U.S. occupational classification. Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians earn a median salary of $34,330 per year, ranking in the top 97% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -1.3% job growth through 2034, projected to lose jobs through 2034. Entry into this field typically requires a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, certifications, or postsecondary credentials, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do ambulance drivers and attendants, except emergency medical technicians earn?

The median annual wage for ambulance drivers and attendants, except emergency medical technicians is $34,330. That puts ambulance drivers and attendants, except emergency medical technicians at #788 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is ambulance drivers and attendants, except emergency medical technicians a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for ambulance drivers and attendants, except emergency medical technicians is -1.3%, projected to lose jobs through 2034. Employment is projected to move from approximately 12K positions in 2024 to 12K in 2034, a net change of 0K. A declining outlook does not mean the field is disappearing; it means automation, demographics, or substitution effects are shrinking the pool of openings. Students entering a declining field should plan for adjacent skills that transfer to growing roles.

What do ambulance drivers and attendants, except emergency medical technicians do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working ambulance drivers and attendants, except emergency medical technicians, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Administer first aid, such as bandaging, splinting, or administering oxygen.
2. 2.Restrain or shackle violent patients.
3. 3.Place patients on stretchers, and load stretchers into ambulances, usually with assistance from other attendants.
4. 4.Clean and wash rigs, ambulances, or equipment.
5. 5.Report facts concerning accidents or emergencies to hospital personnel or law enforcement officials.
6. 6.Replace supplies and disposable items on ambulances.
7. 7.Perform minor maintenance on emergency medical services vehicles, such as ambulances.
8. 8.Earn and maintain appropriate certifications.

Top skills for ambulance drivers and attendants, except emergency medical technicians

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become ambulance drivers and attendants, except emergency medical technician?

Many ambulance drivers and attendants, except emergency medical technicians enter the field with a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, though employers increasingly favor candidates with certifications or some postsecondary coursework. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
  $226,600 median
• Air Traffic Controllers
  $144,580 median
• Commercial Pilots
  $122,670 median
• Ship Engineers
  $101,320 median
• Transportation Inspectors
  $85,750 median
• Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels
  $85,540 median

Common questions parents ask about ambulance drivers and attendants, except emergency medical technicians