Steps to become an EMT or Paramedic in Illinois
A career as an emergency medical technician or Paramedic (EMT) in Illinois will be one that is incredibly rewarding.
As an EMT in Illinois you will provide critical offsite care to patients. Your skills and intervention could mean the difference between life and death for many of those you treat.
To become an EMT in Illinois you will need to complete a state approved training program and obtain EMT Certification. Below we provide information on approved EMT training in Illinois, certification requirements, and careers data.
Best EMT and Paramedic Schools Illinois for 2023
Listed below are the top 38 CAAHEP accredited schools for EMT training in Illinois in 2023.
| School | City | Learn More |
|---|---|---|
| Northwest Community Healthcare | Arlington Heights | Program Page |
| Southwestern Illinois College | Belleville | Program Page |
| Kaskaskia College | Centralia | Program Page |
| Parkland College | Champaign | Program Page |
| Malcolm X College | Chicago | Program Page |
| McHenry County College | Crystal Lake | Program Page |
| Kishwaukee College | DeKalb | Program Page |
| Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital | Downers Grove | Program Page |
| Illinois Central College | East Peoria | Program Page |
| Advocate Sherman Hospital | Elgin | Program Page |
| Presence Saint Joseph Hospital | Elgin | Program Page |
| Presence Saint Francis Hospital | Evanston | Program Page |
| Carl Sandburg College | Galesburg | Program Page |
| Waubonsee Community College | Geneva | Program Page |
| Lewis & Clark Community College | Godfrey | Program Page |
| Ingalls Memorial Hospital | Harvey | Program Page |
| Northshore University Health System | Highland Park | Program Page |
| Presence St. Mary's Hospital | Kankakee | Program Page |
| Riverside Medical Center | Kankakee | Program Page |
| Advocate Condell Medical Center | Libertyville | Program Page |
| Lake Land College | Mattoon | Program Page |
| Loyola University Medical Center | Maywood | Program Page |
| Black Hawk College | Moline | Program Page |
| Morris Hospital and Healthcare Centers | Morris | Program Page |
| Rend Lake College | Mount Vernon | Program Page |
| Edward Hospital | Naperville | Program Page |
| Silver Cross Hospital | New Lenox | Program Page |
| Carle Bromenn - OSF St Joseph - McLean County Consortium | Normal | Program Page |
| Advocate Christ Medical Center | Oak Lawn | Program Page |
| Illinois Valley Community College | Oglesby | Program Page |
| Advocate Lutheran General Hospital | Park Ridge | Program Page |
| Creighton University-Advanced Medical Transport of Central Illinois Paramedic Consortium | Peoria | Program Page |
| Blessing Hospital | Quincy | Program Page |
| OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center | Rockford | Program Page |
| Rockford Health System-Rock River Region EMS System | Rockford | Program Page |
| Swedish American Hospital | Rockford | Program Page |
| Vista Health System | Waukegan | Program Page |
| Northwestern Medicine at Central DuPage Hospital | Winfield | Program Page |
EMT-Basic training is the first step towards a rewarding career and usually take less that 12 months to complete. Advanced training or a Paramedics degree in Illinois will take up to 2 years.
Due to the hands on nature of EMT training a lot of the classes will take place in a classroom setting.
Most EMT schools will have the following criteria for admissions;
- A high school diploma, or equivalent,
- Have a clean criminal background,
- Pass a drug test
- Be CPR certified
- Pass a fitness and medical test
For more information on choosing an EMT program near you click here.
Related programs:
EMT Certification Illinois
Certification provides assurances to the competency of an EMT professional.
EMT certification in Illinois is essential and is obtained by successfully completing the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (National Registry) certification exams.
Certification applicants must meet the following criteria;
- Successful completion of a Illinois state approved EMT training program within the previous 2 years.
- Have up to date CPR credentials.
- Successful completion of the National Registry cognitive exams and state psychomotor exams.
Illinois EMT License Requirements
Once you have graduated from an approved training program and obtained your EMT certification you will need to apply to the Illinois Division of EMS and Highway Safety for your license before you can begin work as an EMT or Paramedic in Illinois.
Illinois is not a member of the EMS Compact – an agreement in place between 21 states to allow for the free movement of EMS personnel between member states in the performance of their professional duties and to recognize the license of an EMT or Paramedic licensed in another Compact state.
The Illinois Division of EMS and Highway Safety deals with all queries relating to certification and licensing in Illinois. You can contact them on the details below;
Phone: 217-785-2080
Website: dph.illinois.gov
EMT Salary Illinois
| Salary | $43,310 |
| Hourly Wage | $20.82 |
| Bottom 10% of Earners | $21,580 |
| Top 10% of Earners | $88,740 |
| Employed | 11,420 |
The average EMT salary in Illinois is $43,310 – according to Bureau of Labor Statistics study, May 2019. This is 11.5% above the national average salary for EMT’s and Paramedics in the USA.
EMT’s in Illinois earn an average income of $20.82 per hour.
Salary Range
- The top 10% of earners in the state had an average annual income of $88,740
- The lower 10% and entry level EMT’s in Illinois earned an average of $21,580 per annum
- EMT’s working in Chicago earned the highest average salaries in the state at $49,070
- EMT’s working in Springfield have the lowest average salary level of $31,330.
| Metro Area | Employment | Salary | Bottom 10% | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington | 120 | $38,140 | $19,330 | $60,770 |
| Carbondale-Marion | 110 | $31,690 | $19,310 | $48,020 |
| Champaign-Urbana | 110 | $31,920 | $21,930 | $45,160 |
| Kankakee | 120 | $36,670 | $26,680 | $50,070 |
| Peoria | 590 | $33,500 | $22,630 | $53,480 |
| Rockford | 330 | $34,600 | $22,580 | $48,910 |
| Springfield | 110 | $31,330 | $21,950 | $37,770 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | 7,940 | $49,070 | $24,410 | $103,080 |
EMT Employment in Illinois
There are currently 11,420 people employed as EMT’s and Paramedics in Illinois. The highest number of EMT and Paramedic jobs in Illinois are in Chicago.
The Bureau for Labor Statistics predicts that employment in the sector will grow nationally by 6% over the 10 year period between 2019 and 2029 – this is faster than the average for all occupations.
The table below provides a comparison between salary and employment for EMTs and Paramedics compared to similar career options in Illinois.
| Related Career | Salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| EMT / Paramedic | $43,310 | 11,420 |
| Medical Assistant | $36,500 | 22,940 |
| Surgical Technician | $49,030 | 3,770 |
| Nursing Assistant | $29,760 | 60,370 |
| Physician Assistant | $105,520 | 2,920 |
Getting started as an EMT in Illinois
- Obtain basic skills such as CPR qualifications – click here
- Use the search box below to find a school or training program in your area and begin by reaching out to request information on admissions, tuition, course structure, etc