EMT in Alaska

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for AK. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$56,900

trending_up +37.6% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Alaska.

engineering

290

Jobs (AK)

monitoring Strong

+5.1%

10-yr job growth

payments

$104

Licensing fees

route How to become an emt in Alaska

To become a certified EMT in Alaska, individuals must complete a state-approved EMT-1 training program, which is typically 140-160 hours in length, and hold a valid CPR certification. The licensing body is the Alaska Department of Health, Division of Public Health, Emergency Medical Services Unit. Candidates must pass the NREMT cognitive and psychomotor exams. Alaska offers reciprocity to EMT-1 level for those with current National Registry EMT certification and who complete additional state-specific training. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and are subject to a criminal background check.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $48,200

25th percentile $49,080

50th (median) $56,900

75th percentile $64,780

90th (experienced) $85,790

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Alaska. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Alaska requirements

Licensing body	Alaska Department of Health, Division of Public Health, Emergency Medical Services Unit
State license	Required
Education	State-approved EMT-1 training program (minimum 140-160 hours). CPR certification is a prerequisite for the EMT-I course. High School Diploma/GED is generally expected but not explicitly stated as a prerequisite on the official EMS site for EMT-1.
Exam	NREMT Cognitive and Psychomotor Exams ($104)
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	40.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Must be at least 18 years old. Requires a criminal background check. Beginning April 2025, a one-time completion of a four-hour traffic incident management responder training is required for all initial licenses and recertifications.

Source: Alaska Department of Health, Division of Public Health, Emergency Medical Services Unit

workspace_premium Alaska license tiers

Alaska offers multiple tiers of emt licensing:

Tier	Hours required
EMR	N/A
EMT-1	N/A
EMT-2	N/A
EMT-3	N/A
Advanced EMT	N/A
Paramedic	N/A

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+5.1%

Faster than average

Annual openings

14,100

Nationwide per year

Total employment

181,000

Nationwide

balance Is it worth it?

check_circleAlaska license required — clearer credential signal to employers
check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+5.1%)

psychology

Wondering if an emt career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the steps to becoming an emt in Alaska? expand_more

To become an emt in Alaska, you need to complete the required education (State-approved EMT-1 training program (minimum 140-160 hours). CPR certification is a prerequisite for the EMT-I course. High School Diploma/GED is generally expected but not explicitly stated as a prerequisite on the official EMS site for EMT-1.), and pass the NREMT Cognitive and Psychomotor Exams.

Does Alaska require emt licensure? expand_more

A state license is required in Alaska. Alaska Department of Health, Division of Public Health, Emergency Medical Services Unit handles emt licensing — the NREMT Cognitive and Psychomotor Exams is part of the process.

How much does an emt make in Alaska? expand_more

In Alaska, the median pay for emts comes to $56,900/year. — 38% higher than the $41,340 national figure. Entry-level (10th percentile) starts at $48,200, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $85,790.

What are the fees to become an emt in Alaska? expand_more

The full cost to enter the field runs about varies, factoring in exam fee ($104) and required training.

What's required to renew a emt license in Alaska? expand_more

Alaska requires 40.0 hours of continuing education every 2.0 years to maintain your emt license.