Do you enjoy helping people, solving problems, and working in a fast-paced environment? A career as a Registered Nurse could be the perfect fit for you!
Do you want to help people in emergencies and make a real difference? A career as an EMT could put you on the front line of saving lives!
Do you enjoy helping people, solving problems, and working in a fast-paced environment? A career as a Registered Nurse could be the perfect fit for you!
All data shown on this page reflects the six-county Heart of Texas region: Bosque, Falls, Freestone, Hill, Limestone, and McLennan counties.
Postsecondary Nondegree Award
Minimum Education Required
EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS
Career Overview
Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) (SOC 29-2042) are first responders who deliver critical, life-saving care in emergencies. They assess patients, provide immediate medical treatment, and safely transport them to hospitals or other care facilities. Working in fast-paced, unpredictable environments—from accident scenes to public events—EMTs play a vital role in stabilizing patients and supporting other health care professionals when every second counts.
Starting Annual Salary
2022-2032 Job Growth
Minimum Education
Postsecondary nondegree award
RN training programs and the HRTX colleges where they are offered are listed below. Click the links to view each college’s Nursing Program web page.
- McLennan Community College - Emergency Medical Technician OSA
- McLennan Community College - Advanced Emergency Medical Technician Certificate
- McLennan Community College - Paramedicine (EMT) Level 1 Certificate
- McLennan Community College - Paramedicine Level 2 Certificate
- McLennan Community College - Paramedicine Associate Degree
- Navarro College - Emergency Medical Technician Basic Certificate
About Emergency Medical Technicians
What do Emergency Medical Technicians do?
EMTs do much more than drive ambulances—they’re trained lifesavers who respond quickly when someone is hurt or sick. In this section, you’ll see what the job is really like, from common tasks and important skills to the places EMTs work and how much they can earn. You’ll also learn about the most in-demand jobs in the Heart of Texas so you can picture where this exciting, fast-paced career could take you.
$29,107
2023 Starting Annual Salary
$35,990
2023 Mean Annual Salary
$39,431
2023 Eperienced Annual Salary
$13.99
2023 Starting Hourly Wage
$17.30
2023 Mean Hourly Wage
$18.96
2023 Experienced Hourly Wage
EMTs earn a solid income while making a real difference in people’s lives. Starting pay is competitive, and experience, advanced certifications, or specialized roles can boost earnings over time. This career also offers steady demand, providing both financial stability and the chance to grow professionally.
Emergency Medical Technicians – Basic
Respond to emergency calls, provide basic life support, and safely transport patients to medical facilities.
On-Site Medical Representatives
Deliver immediate first aid and health support at workplaces, events, or job sites to keep people safe until further care is available.
Advanced Analysts
Evaluate medical data and emergency response information to improve patient care and emergency service operations.
Paramedics
Provide advanced emergency care—administer medications, perform complex procedures, and manage critical situations before and during transport.
Medical Equipment Delivery Drivers
Transport and set up essential medical equipment for patients, ensuring it’s ready for safe and effective use.
EMT Paramedics
Combine the skills of EMTs and Paramedics to offer both basic and advanced life support in fast-moving, high-pressure situations.
EMTs can work under different job titles depending on the employer, location, or level of certification. Some focus on emergency response, while others provide patient transport or specialized care. This list shows the most in-demand roles in the Heart of Texas so you can see where opportunities are growing.
Provide Life-Saving Care
Perform CPR, control bleeding, and manage other critical needs on-site.
Operate Medical Equipment
Use tools like defibrillators, oxygen tanks, and stretchers effectively.
Work as a Team
Collaborate with other EMTs, firefighters, and police officers during emergencies.
Support & Comfort Patients
Help calm and reassure patients during stressful situations.
Share Critical Information
Communicate with dispatchers and hospitals to coordinate care and next steps.
Document Care Provided
Record all actions, medications, and observations for accurate patient records.
Every EMT shift brings new challenges—from responding to emergency calls and providing first aid to transporting patients safely to medical facilities. Check out this list to see some of the most common tasks you might handle in the field.
Psychology
Recognizing how stress, fear, or shock can affect patients—and responding in a way that helps calm and reassure them.
Customer & Personal Service
Knowing how to meet patients’ needs, provide compassionate care, and keep families informed.
Medicine & Biology
Understanding the human body, illnesses, and injuries to give the right care when it matters most.
Transportation
Knowing how to safely move patients and operate emergency vehicles under urgent conditions.
English Language
Reading medical reports, understanding instructions, and clearly communicating with patients and teammates.
Public Safety & Security
Following safety procedures to protect patients, bystanders, and the EMT team in emergencies.
EMTs rely on a strong base of knowledge to do their jobs well, from understanding human anatomy to following safety protocols and using medical equipment. This list highlights the core subjects that support success in the role.
Communication
Sharing clear, accurate information with patients, teammates, and hospital staff—often in fast-paced, high-pressure situations.
Operations
Using tools, equipment, and vehicles safely and effectively to deliver emergency care.
Customer Service
Treating every patient and family member with care, compassion, and respect.
Ethical Standards & Conduct
Making decisions that put patient safety and well-being first, while following all laws and protocols.
Professionalism
Maintaining a calm, capable, and respectful presence—no matter how stressful the situation.
Good Driving Record
Safely operating emergency vehicles so patients get the fastest, safest transport possible.
Want to know what it takes to be a successful RN? These are the top skills employers in the Heart of Texas look for—things like communication, problem-solving, and compassion. Whether you’re great at leading others or staying calm in tough situations, these in-demand skills can help you thrive in a nursing career.
Ambulance Services
Respond to emergencies, provide life-saving care, and transport patients to hospitals or treatment centers.
Home Health Care Services
Bring medical care to patients at home, ensuring they get essential treatment and monitoring without a hospital stay.
Offices of All Other Miscellaneous Health Practitioners
Work alongside doctors, therapists, or other specialists to assist with patient care and treatment.
Urban Transit Systems
Provide emergency medical coverage and quick response for passengers using city buses, rail, or transit services.
All Other Miscellaneous Ambulatory Health Care Services
Offer specialized medical support outside of hospitals, from event coverage to mobile clinics.
All Other Miscellaneous Retailers
Deliver and demonstrate medical supplies or equipment directly to customers who need them.
EMTs aren’t limited to ambulances—they’re needed in many environments, from hospitals and clinics to fire departments and event venues. Explore this list to see some of the most common places EMTs work in the Heart of Texas.
Education & Training
What You Need to Become an EMT
Starting a career as an EMT means combining the right training, hands-on experience, and certification. In this section, we give you 4 steps to get started—plus different entry options, from short-term training to associate degree programs, and regional training programs.
Career Entry Options
There’s more than one path to becoming an EMT. Whether starting with a short-term EMT certification course, advancing to a Paramedic program, or earning an associate degree, each option offers a way to gain the skills and credentials needed to work in emergency medical services.
Regional Training Programs
Want to train close to home? Seceral colleges offer EMT and Paramedic programs in the Heart of Texas region. These hands-on courses prepare you for the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) exam and Texas state certification so you can launch your career quickly.
Opportunities & Outlook
Your Future as an EMT
While EMTs make up a smaller career field in the Heart of Texas’ health care industry, demand is growing fast—13.1% growth is expected by 2032. In 2024, about 159 EMTs were working in the region, and around 20 new positions open each year. This steady growth means new opportunities to step into a vital, life-saving role where every EMT makes a big impact in the community.
Projected Growth
2024 Job Size
New Jobs Each Year
Similar Careers
Explore Other Health Care Careers
These careers are targeted occupations in the Heart of Texas region—meaning they’re in high demand, offer competitive wages, and provide strong opportunities for long-term growth. Explore other in-demand roles within the health care industry to find the right fit for you.
Dental Assistants
Health Care and Social Assistance, Health Science
$13.7
$28,488
17%
Postsecondary nondegree award
Not specified
Dental Hygienists
Health Care and Social Assistance, Health Science
$35.36
$73,556
18.9%
Associate degree
TSTC Waco Campus
Emergency Medical Technicians
Health Care and Social Assistance, Health Science
$13.99
$29,107
13.1%
Postsecondary nondegree award
TSTC Waco Campus
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
Health Care and Social Assistance, Health Science
$21.92
$45,600
9%
Postsecondary nondegree award
Hill College, McLennan Community College, Navarro College
Medical Assistants
Health Care and Social Assistance, Health Science
$14.85
$30,883
19.7%
Postsecondary nondegree award
Not specified
Pharmacy Technicians
Health Care and Social Assistance, Health Science
$15.98
$33,242
16.4%
High school diploma or equivalent
Navarro College
Physical Therapist Assistants
Health Care and Social Assistance, Health Science
$23.65
$49,200
21.9%
Associate degree
McLennan Community College, Navarro College
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians
Health Care and Social Assistance, Health Science
$25.61
$53,277
10.7%
Associate degree
McLennan Community College
Registered Nurses
Health Care and Social Assistance, Health Science
$31.06
$64,613
8%
Bachelor’s degree
Baylor University, Hill College, McLennan Community College, Navarro College
Respiratory Therapists
Health Care and Social Assistance, Health Science
$29.04
$60,398
13.9%
Associate degree
McLennan Community College