EMT in Illinois

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

Median annual salary

$40,780

trending_down -1.4% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Illinois.

engineering

8,480

Jobs (IL)

monitoring Strong

+5.1%

10-yr job growth

payments

$143

Licensing fees

schedule

4-6 months

Time to complete

route How to become an emt in Illinois

To become a licensed EMT in Illinois, you must complete a state-approved EMT-Basic training program and possess a high school diploma or GED. Candidates must pass either the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) Exam or the Illinois State Licensing Exam. The licensing body is the Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of EMS & Highway Safety. A fingerprint-based background check is required, and applicants must be at least 18 years old to test for licensure. Illinois also offers reciprocity for EMTs licensed in other states or those with NREMT certification.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $33,890

25th percentile $37,680

50th (median) $40,780

75th percentile $50,380

90th (experienced) $130,860

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

checklist Illinois requirements

Licensing body	Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of EMS & Highway Safety
State license	Required
Education	State-approved EMT-Basic training program and High School Diploma/GED.
Exam	National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) Exam or Illinois State Licensing Exam ($98)
Application fee	$45
Renewal	Every 4.0 years
Continuing education	60.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Must be at least 18 years old to test for licensure. Requires a fingerprint-based background check. For license renewals occurring on or after January 1, 2023, EMS personnel must complete at least one one-hour course of training on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias per license renewal period. While a state exam is standard, NREMT can be used for reciprocity.

Source: Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of EMS & Highway Safety

workspace_premium Illinois license tiers

Illinois offers multiple tiers of emt licensing:

Tier	Hours required
EMR	N/A
EMT-B	N/A
AEMT	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_circleIllinois 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?

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Frequently asked questions

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

Illinois requires emts to complete the required education (State-approved EMT-Basic training program and High School Diploma/GED.), pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) Exam or Illinois State Licensing Exam, and submit your application ($45 fee).

Does Illinois require emt licensure? expand_more

Illinois mandates state licensure for emts. Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of EMS & Highway Safety oversees the process, which includes passing the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) Exam or Illinois State Licensing Exam.

What is the average emt salary in Illinois? expand_more

The median emt salary in Illinois is $40,780 per year. That's roughly in line with the $41,340 national median. Entry-level (10th percentile) starts at $33,890, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $130,860.

What's the total cost to get emt certified in Illinois? expand_more

Between exam fee ($98) and application fee ($45), expect to invest around varies in total to get started.

How long does it take to become an emt in Illinois? expand_more

Expect to spend 4-6 months from start to finish in Illinois — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.

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

License renewal in Illinois requires completing 60.0 hours of continuing education on a 4.0-year cycle.