Emergency medical care
Paramedic
Provide advanced emergency assessment and care during medical emergencies and patient transport.
BLS · May 2025
EDUCATION & ENTRY
EMT preparation + paramedic program
Paramedic study builds on prior preparation and includes clinical experience. Confirm EMT entry requirements, prerequisites, exams and Oregon licensing. Count preparation before the paramedic sequence in your timeline.
The state’s typical entry education classification is “Postsecondary training (non-degree).” This describes the occupation broadly; employers, programs and licensing bodies set specific requirements.
CONNECT THE CAREER TO A PLACE TO LEARN
Oregon training options
These are related routes to investigate. Confirm the full preparation, current admissions and eligibility for your intended role with the provider.
Portland Community College
Emergency Medical Technician – Paramedic
Build advanced emergency care skills through an associate pathway.
Ask: Which EMT credentials and prerequisites must I have before entering the paramedic sequence?
Program page reviewed September 15, 2026
Central Oregon Community College
Paramedicine
The degree includes EMT and paramedic preparation and 600–800 hours in clinical and field settings. Entry, clinical clearances and certification examinations are separate steps.
Ask: Which preparation, timetable and complete budget apply to my Paramedicine plan?
Program page reviewed September 15, 2026
Take this question to a counselor.
What experience would help me decide whether advanced emergency care suits me?
Before choosing a program, ask for prerequisites, the complete timeline, class and placement schedules, and a full cost estimate including supplies, exams, travel and living expenses.
Build a working cost estimate →Understand the numbers.
The median is the midpoint of estimated wages for Oregon workers in this occupation. The hourly median is $35.98. These figures describe workers across experience levels; they are not starting pay or the earnings of graduates from the programs below.
Oregon projects employment moving from 1,086 jobs in 2024 to 1,239 in 2034. The projected 645 openings over the decade include growth and replacement needs as workers leave an occupation. Dividing that total by ten gives the rounded annual average shown above. These are projections, not today’s vacancies.
How to read wage information →