A side-by-side comparison of salary, job growth, and training to help you choose between becoming a registered nurse and a emt / paramedic.
| Registered Nurse | EMT / Paramedic | |
|---|---|---|
| BLS median salary | $93,600 | $41,340 |
| Typical salary range | $94,000-$135,000 | $41,000-$61,000 (EMT) / $58,000-$82,000 (Paramedic) |
| Job growth (2024–34) | 5% | 5% |
| Time to job-ready | 16-24 months ABSN | 2-6 months (EMT) / 1-2 years (Paramedic) |
| Typical training cost | $40,000 | $1,500 |
Registered Nurse has the higher BLS median wage ($93,600), while EMT / Paramedic gets you earning faster (2-6 months (EMT) / 1-2 years (Paramedic)). Your degree is an advantage in either — use the quiz to see which fits your background, or run both through the ROI calculator against your student loans.
Median wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024). Training costs and timelines are typical estimates. Data last updated June 2026.