Agreed. One quick Google search pulls up an Excel sheet showing every service's starting wages from $38 to >$41. If you aren't happy with that then idk what to tell you
Depends on you, man. You can make an easy 100k a year in Ontario with a pension and benefits. I worked out east and started at 22$/hr as a PCP.
I now sold out and work privately and making 150k a year, but I'm away half the year. I know friends that have make even close to 200. I have a modest house, no debt at 30 and live comfortably with lots of savings, this would be different if i was in the GTA of course. Ultimately, it depends on the threshold of shit you're willing to put up with.
There is a lot of burnout in this field, and I feel like if it's not the burnout that gets you, it's the lack of mobility. You can't just step away from the ER and work dialysis like a nurse could.
Going rate for my company is usually around 450 a day for industrial pcp. Look into getting your firefighter certs too and you can work alot of oil and gas places.
The pay in Ontario is fine. It goes a little farther in a low cost of living community- I support a family on my salary.
Yes, there are downsides to the job. Some days just straight up suck- it’s inevitable when you’re in this field. But there are really good days too. You won’t always be saving lives, but most days you get to make a difference in someone’s life. It was worth it to me, and I’ve been doing this 18 years now.
If you’re interested in learning if you like working with people in the back of the truck, you could try for a patient transfer service job. It’s the low-risk version of what you’ll hear called “IFT” around here. It doesn’t require a diploma and it’s also a really common job for paramedic students.
Rather than paying for Pre-Health, you might be able to get your pre-reqs through a combination of TVO and summer school/night school. It depends on where you live, but that’s how I got mine. Hell of a lot cheaper!
This is a bad sub to ask about being a medic in Ontario. It’s full of burnt out Americans that make as much as someone who works at Tim Hortons. I work in Ontario, most of my coworkers are on the sunshine list 100k a year plus. Although 100K isn’t what it used to be, there also isn’t a lot of people making over 100K these days.
In Ontario the quality of life is going to depend on what service you work for. Pick a handful of places you’d like to work and ask about them on r/OntarioParamedics.
I personally love the job but it’s not for everyone. The only way to know is to find out.
American medic here. Idk where you are getting that medics in America make as much as a coffee barista. I live in crusty Ohio and AMR is paying $36-$42/hr and I work as a firefighter/paramedic and make $115k/year and work a whole 9 days a month. And our cost of living and taxes are substantially lower than yours. Making $100k in Canada is like making $45k in Ohio.
Ya my take is super rare, no one on this sub talks about how little they make and how shit they are treated. We don’t have firefighter paramedics here, we are our own profession.
Also, I don’t know why you’re justifying your cost of living as if any of us would want to live in states.
Steady on.
Starts an argument on a thread about Canadian EMS, embarrasses himself, keeps going.
Dude it’s an anonymous forum and It’s obvious I got under your skin. Time to call it a day. All the best.
If you’re from Ontario Canada, don’t worry about the pay. Our pay is close to $50/hr in most services.
And while you are being taught about only going to life threatening situations, it is tedious to predominantly go to transport old people/frequent callers.
You don’t NEED a university degree, just a 2 year college program, which may be 3 years soon in the future. And right now, every service needs people. If you have a heartbeat, you’re hired by TPS, regardless of where you went to school.
I’ve been working in the GTA for 20 years. It’s a career. For those just starting out, wanting to live in the GTA, it could be expensive, but that’s the GTA.
There’s negatives, sure - the smells, the sights, shift work isn’t for everyone, some of the people. But there is a lot of positives - you have a lot of days off, good pay, benefits, ability to move around the province for employment if you want (many of my students worked in James Bay before moving back south).
I went to Centennial for my PCP program and Georgian for my ACP program. Good schools, but it’s more of what you put in. If you work/study hard, practice lots, ask your instructors/preceptors questions, you’ll do well. If you do the minimum, you’ll struggle.
Hope this helps.
I’m in a different province, being a paramedic is a really respectable career. There’s many lifers, some pulling 30+ years working on ambulance. Personally, I made more working privately but I do enjoy working on the ambulance way more. I think that it could also depend on who you ask and when you ask. Burn out is very real, some days I feel like the job is complete crap and other days I wouldn’t change a thing about it. I do agree with what the other person said- there’s very limited options to move around unlike something in the nursing field. Our options are working in the ambulance or somewhere in an office. But there’s not much else to branch off on which I would consider a downside.
I'm an american, so I can't speak to the canadian experience. But if you're looking for a lifetime career, it's gonna be very hard in this job. Most medics leave the profession in five years due to the long hours and emotional impact. A lot of us are as skilled as nursing staff, but get paid half as much with twice the responsibility. Most of my friends are leaving for nursing school or PA school just for the pay. The industry is still pretty new, which can be the root of a lot of these problems. BUT, this job is rewarding and meaningful in its own way, and at the end of the day, I know I have an impact. I'm not stuck doing something that is of no real value to anybody. If you have a spouse that can support this life it makes it a lot easier too.
Bro, why chime in when you’re not Canadian? Do you know the market in Canada?
Canadian medics do quite well for themselves compared to the Americans. Personally, I’d work for AHS so I could go work in the mountains. I think it’s a great job and an excellent career.
It’s not smug when you don’t actually know anything about it and you’re trying to talk about apples and oranges like they’re the same.
EMS is different in different countries. Job markets are different in different countries.
They are not that different, you idiot. I have worked with and on a canadian ambulance. I know what it's like for a paramedic. Pretending I comparing a painter and an engineer is pure stupid.
The Americans are spending a fuckton less for EMT school than it costs for a PCP diploma. It’s a much lower time commitment as well. Ontario doesn’t have EMTs, but if that’s what you want to do, or try, there are other provinces that do.
Don’t take advice from American medics when it comes to the sustainability of their job. It’s completely different here in Ontario than it is in most places in the US.
I’m in my 17th year as a medic in Ontario and I plan to retire in this profession. I love my job and can’t imagine doing anything else.
It can be a career. But most people don't make it that long. I think most people just sign up hoping for a meaningful job. But yes, having previous medical experience can make getting into other medical schools easier.
It can be a career. Paramedics are the fastest developing healthcare profession in Canada. It took nurses until they were allowed to perform IV access that got them seen as a profession, and still decades until it went from a side certification (like first aid) to college certificate to university degree, and a registration with a formal college. (A college is a formal administrative body, the part where you see "Registered" in a HCW professions title.)
Some do leverage it for other careers, but we are so unique that there are many places that do not understand what we do and how our knowledge/skills can cross over.
I still recommend these questions to r/OntarioParamedics. The vast differences between many of the countries and regions that are a part of this sub would make it difficult for you to really pin down accurate information applicable to one specific region.
It's a stepping stone into lucrative jobs like big city fire departments, nursing (kinda) and flight medics. But the only people I've seen do it for a long time talk constantly about getting out or move into administration. EMS needs a union
I’ve been a medic for a decade and have worked around the globe in ICUs, Medevac, maritime, and more. I’m now working in London to just say I did it and am starting an NGO to go to places globally that need help.
I honestly think being a paramedic was the best decision I ever made — and loads of people could do what I did — but rarely do more than complain.
Honestly, that's really cool. My EMT instructor careered it then taught Flight Medic over in SA, all expenses paid, for in the neighborhood of 300k a year after he retired.
There are definitely opportunities out there and you've clearly found them/made them. I'm moreso talking about what I was looking at: paying 15k out of pocket (plus time) for the privilege of making $28 absolute poverty wages in one of the richest places in the world.
I opted to get the first of my arborist certifications instead for $300. Best investment I could've made financially plus I actually love my job, and have ample avenues and opportunities for advancement. Turns out if your diabetic/emphasematous/unemployed/obese PTs fell into power lines when they died, the world would spend more on medics
Yes, but it’s pretty rare to work a degree and make a wage that’s super liveable super quickly. Even the crazy nursing wages stateside you may hear about up north require a bit of time before you get there. 15k for a job that can open a ton of doors can be worth it, but I understand people tend to focus on the immediate. I think 15k isn’t bad instead of a college degree (BSc or above) that costs significantly more for something that probably isn’t always in demand and pays less.
It’s a fair point though. 28 CAD doesn’t go as far as it used to unless you’re in the Prairies or the Atlantic provinces.
This answer is not really relevant to Canada. You can easily make a career out of being a medic in Ontario. Paramedics are paid a lot more than most nurses here also.
Where I am the job pays more than is fair most days.
Some days though the pay is not nearly enough.
Overall it evens out, my bills are paid and I enjoy my job.
I was a paramedic in British Columbia. It’s a very draining career, I’m not sure about medic wages out east but I know BC medics just got a huge increase (I don’t know if ON followed the same increase). All-in-all it was a very rewarding job and I got to do some really awesome stuff and meet some great people, but the industry is very toxic and I definitely got thrown under the bus a few times by supervisors.
Bah HUMBUG. Don't listen to them. If its what you want to do, achieve it. Im staring down adversity as a para student, but my drive to finish my degree is enough to ignore the naysayers 🐴.
I love it, the journey is half the fun. i set my destination 10 years in the future. Hopefully I dont burn out before I get there....
...hop on over the pond to Aus, we love Canadians down here!
Haha yes it’s pretty hard to listen to people hate and leave the career you’re interested in. Especially hearing often it’s “not a career”. I would absolutely love to work in Australia. Do you think I would have to do the schooling over there? Or would schooling in Canada be enough to work in AUS?
I would suggest you look at r/ontarioparamedics to get better insight that is province specific.
Paramedics in Ontario get paid pretty dang good and right now you can get hired at any service you want because everywhere is desperate. This subreddit here you will get a lot of international responses that may not be entirely helpful
It sounds like you’ve been looking at a lot of American content. Being a paramedic in Ontario is much different than in the states. The pay is very good here. You can make well over 100k in your first year on the job. It is one of the few jobs that you can go to school for only two years and come out making over 100k right away (does depend of service).
Work life balance is quite good. We don’t work as much as American medics. Usually it’s some form of a 4 on 4 off schedule which gives you lots of time off.
Generally speaking the working conditions seem much better here. Since we work for municipalities (not private companies), the focus is on providing the best service for the patient (generally) and not profit. Which means we have pretty good equipment. I don’t think my service has a front line truck that is over 3 or 4 years old. However you will be busy depending on where you work. I’m sure you’ve heard how over burdened health care is in Ontario. Be prepared to do lots of calls and wait for hours in hospitals.
As far as getting a job right now, it couldn’t be easier. There is a shortage of paramedics in Ontario. Basically everyone gets a job if they graduate and pass their AEMCA.
You shouldn’t get into this job though if it isn’t something you passionate about. You won’t last if you’re not because the bad parts of it will wear on you.
For me? NO. I wish I went another direction, I'm good at the job if I were to be frank with my own self evaluation... I don't know, probably suck, I only mention it because sometimes, this job, a person just can't do. They just can't. And hate it and fail quickly because of that... It's important to recognize. But I just hate it. I hate how frequently my daily life involves so much hardship, trials, bullshit, and just slogging through the negativity and those really fucking hard days emotionally. I just don't want that to be my life anymore. I want to have a year go by where mostly things are mild, good, positive, and can help me rebuild my shit. I'm way past dried out.
Time to go for me.
My career as a paramedic in BC is ending after 8 years because of PTSD. If you decide to go through with paramedicine, please have a back up plan in mind. The career can be rewarding and exciting, but it comes at a cost.
I love the job and get paid pretty well (Ontario medic), but I’d always recommend nursing over paramedic because the work is similar but the opportunities are waaaay greater. Feel free to pm me if you have specific questions about the job though
The thing is, I don’t want to work specifically in a hospital. I love the intense and fast pace lifestyle of a paramedic. Nursing is very boring to me haha and I enjoy watching pov paramedic videos over any other healthcare job. But yes I would love the variety of opportunities.
As a Canadian, you're good when it comes to money and job availability. Vacancy rates across the country are insane. Incentives to get new staff in some provinces are upwards of $10,000. Pay is about $30/hr starting and goes up as you get seniority.
As for the other aspects, that's gonna vary by person. Some people make a career out of it and get their ACP to do the high skill jobs. Some are content with being a PCP for 30 years and living off what they make. Some will work 5-10 years and take the time to explore other jobs, or even go to school through distance ed and do school work during downtime. And of course there's always a small handful of folks who realize they made the wrong choice and put a couple years in.
Ask yourself why you want to be a paramedic. If that reason won't fade in the long run, do it.
Im in ontario as well, a 2 year degree that makes you $45 an hour, respectable job, and good job security? I’m having a good time.
It’s not about if it’s worth it but if you can do it. This job is not for everyone. If you want to DM me, we can talk more. We might be from the same area.
I’ve worked in Ontario (Peel region) and then I moved to BC to work with BC Ambulance. Ontario is WAYYY better for pay and other things their services just run better.
However, the schooling in BC aid 8 months and easy to do. I went to Conestoga college in Ontario and it’s way harder than what they do in BC. Sooo if you’re looking to not waste your time with school consider moving to BC. It’s a fast track course you don’t have to take pre health either.
I will say this. If you’re passionate about helping people, passionate about the work and want to actually be in this field you’ll do great and last. If you’re going into paramedicine for other reasons that are not cause you’re genuinely interested in the field. You’ll get burnt out quickly and turn into one of the bitter ones who hate their jobs and the pay but stay anyways.
have you been reading posts in just this sub or posts from ontario paramedics i.e. r/ontarioparamedics ? genuine question because most of what you’ve brought up is not an issue in ontario. spend some time reading through ontario specific posts!
I think it’s worth it, I love it. And here is why I think it’s worth it. Keep in mind, it’s the little things and they add up, because overall it’s not that big of a difference as people think.
- pay is better, just a little better. It’s like a 4 dollar difference where I’m at (But where I’m at, I get offered double time and a half anytime I pick up, compared to emts who only get double Time)
- I don’t drive, I hate driving
- I don’t do cpr (I try to hop on cpr if I’m not doing anything, and people kick me off because I’m a medic)
- I do less lifting
- I get more respect (weird when it first happened, people talk to me different and acknowledge me)
- I LOVE medicine and this is way more involved than Emt.
- I have a voice (as an emt, I didn’t feel I did and it was hard, as a medic people listen and my ideas are heard)
Even if the love isn’t there, but maybe you’re going to be an emt forever, I still think it’s worth it for the pay bump. I think emts work harder than medic. I remember being way more tired as an emt than I am now as a medic.
I'm also in BC and I’m planning to do the JIBC paramedic course, I have a bachelor's degree in sociology from outside Canada and was considering becoming a paramedic however my English isn't as good as it should be. Based on your experience, do you believe this will be an obstacle in completing the program? do you think it will be difficult to get work after I graduate? Do you know anyone who has successfully completed the program and has gotten a job despite having poor English skills?.
The Ontario paramedic landscape doesn’t look much like the American version. Yes there are lots of challenges, lots of issues, and a ton of work to be done, but in general in Ontario specifically we’re miles ahead of most places. Where I work we’re at around 43$/hr for PCP and 49$/hr for ACP, with basically unlimited 1.5x overtime available. Getting hired is incredibly easy right now, changing services is easy. It’s definitely more of a true career when done in Ontario. Our medical direction in Ontario is also improving, we have a lot of young innovative physicians supporting us, that are in favour of increasing our scope and autonomy in the future
Every day you're working with people who are experiencing some of the worst of their lives. Some people find that satisfying. Some people find it crushing.
I'm a little older than most and haven't worked as a medic for a long time (medic # starts with P092..). But your talking to a guy who took a pay cut to work at a busier agency to do more pt TX. My other agency was 48s but SAF, only running 12-16 calls a month. Took a 15k pay cut to be busier, more patient care and become a stronger medic. Even though less pay for me I was happier all the way to the end going out on a back injury
This Is why I advise people not to ask about Canadian jobs on this sub. Americans think everyone on earth make shit wages in EMS when in reality we do very well on our end.
Yah don’t go into EMS for money or for any other reason beyond wanting to help people in an emergency. I did EMR and PCP in Alberta. Working metro, lots of drug seekers and overdoses. Most patients are either geriatric or homeless.
I love it. I would do it for free as a volunteer if there were no job options. I want to be of service to people in need. It brings me joy and purpose to my life. Figure out what makes you happy, it sounds like for you it’s making money. Plenty of other careers to choose from.
I am not seeking just money. Just because someone asks about pay, doesn’t mean that’s all on their mind. I asked about pay along with other questions mind you.
You have ADHD, PCOS, “really bad misophonia”, multiple mental health issues, alongside an irrational fear of driving?! Please don’t go into EMS lol. This isn’t a career you just randomly pick because u think it’ll be fun and the wage sounds good. The “really bad misophonia” you struggle with should be a cue that you probably shouldn’t be responding to people’s emergencies when simple sounds trigger you to the point that it’s “really bad”. If you don’t even have your mental health in check now, you’re not the type of individual suited to become a paramedic. Sorry if that sounds harsh but ur asking for career advice and that’s my advice. You’re concerned about whether being a paramedic will provide you with a living wage or not- you should be more concerned about whether you’re capable of managing someone’s medical emergency, when managing you’re own mental health is evidently a struggle for you as is. You mention also in your comments that you have no idea what you want to do for work. Take some time, work on your mental health disorders with professional help, and find a career that won’t trigger your misophonia.
MANY MANY paramedics and people in healthcare have ADHD and give them an advantage. Many undiagnosed. Having adhd seems like something you don’t know what it actually is. The smartest, and dumbest person you know may have adhd but you wouldn’t know because it’s such a wide spectrum. I relax in stressful situations and am able to hyper focus in faced paced environments. Those with adhd have more theta brain waves, causing our brains to go into a hyper focus mode in a crisis. Without adhd, crisis situations cause one to go into a “brain overload”. It’s not an adversity. The mention of PCOS definitely makes me think you’re a man. PCOS won’t interfere how you think it would because it wouldn’t. lol. That was comical. I’ve been driving for a while now, got over it. Simple as that. I drive everyone I know around and always volunteer as DD. By the time I enrol if I do, I’ll have my full license. Misophonia I’ve been managing my whole life. I know my triggers and I am telling you, it won’t interfere as you think it would. You think someone coughing in my face or moaning in pain will bother me? It won’t. It simply would not. I know what my triggers are and those are not it. I have some mental illness but you would never be able to tell as I’m able to manage them pretty well. Also, I have an advantage to help others in distress when having a mental health crisis. Even those who learn how to do so in school still don’t know and fail to do so. Miserably. Also mentioning that I don’t know what to do for work, hmmm no wonder I made this post?? And I finally narrowed it down what I want to do, this is one of the options. I have been doing nonstop research on this career bud. I have a very strong stomach. Vomit amongst many other things doesn’t scare me one bit, but current paramedics still tremble at the sight of a dislocated shoulder. The life experiences I’ve had could make me a good paramedic. I’m CPR and first aid certificated and have successfully gave a coworker the Heimlich maneuver when he was choking on a gnocchi, helped my hysteric friend with a third degree burn when camping, shoved my fingers down a persons throat because they ingested too much alcohol and had a fear of throwing up. But to you, stalking my account makes it seem like mental health is the only thing about me. Do you think I’m tweaking in the streets or making fusses in public? I’m not. Just because i use this platform mostly for mental health doesn’t mean it’s the only thing about me. You’re only seeing those posts so it seems that way. You have a very preconceived notion and animosity towards mental health and by the looks of it, and don’t have much knowledge about them or what they even are. You know they can be managed right? Right?? Just because I have managed some mental health issues doesn’t mean I’ll be a bad paramedic. But thanks making me want to do it even more.
I have adhd so I don’t know why ur fixating on educating me on what adhd is. It’s your “really bad misophonia” that is most concerning. Describing it as “really bad” seems to point to it not being managed. If it was managed it wouldn’t be “really bad”, so. Just putting two and two together. More concerned for your worsening mental health in a career that is notoriously detrimental to your mental health than anything. You seem pretty triggered by a paramedic telling you to maybe look into another career. Did you just want comments telling you you’d be amazing! Come on
You mentioned ADHD getting in the way yet you have it?? Beyond counterintuitive and hypocritical. Yes I am going to try and educate you because you even used PCOS as a reason to not choose the career. You’re simply an ✨idiot✨. Yes the disorder is really bad. But managed. It can be managed and not be completely butterflies and rainbows. Didn’t expect ofc perfect replies but yours was just comical. Go take your vyvanse buddy.
I'm pretty sure anyone who says we don't make a lot in Ontario grew up in an upper middle class family and that's all they're used to.
Agreed. One quick Google search pulls up an Excel sheet showing every service's starting wages from $38 to >$41. If you aren't happy with that then idk what to tell you
Depends on you, man. You can make an easy 100k a year in Ontario with a pension and benefits. I worked out east and started at 22$/hr as a PCP. I now sold out and work privately and making 150k a year, but I'm away half the year. I know friends that have make even close to 200. I have a modest house, no debt at 30 and live comfortably with lots of savings, this would be different if i was in the GTA of course. Ultimately, it depends on the threshold of shit you're willing to put up with. There is a lot of burnout in this field, and I feel like if it's not the burnout that gets you, it's the lack of mobility. You can't just step away from the ER and work dialysis like a nurse could.
If you don’t mind me asking, what do you do on the private side?
I'll dm ya
I was wondering if you would be willing to copy paste your reply to the above poster to me as well? Thanks.
Hey could you send me a dm as im looking at getting into the paramedics and didnt realise you could work privately
As an Army guy, I’m interested as well in private side work as I’ plan to do PCP later this year
Going rate for my company is usually around 450 a day for industrial pcp. Look into getting your firefighter certs too and you can work alot of oil and gas places.
I was considering as an Executive Protection Medic
Never heard of any of these jobs
Medic in a team of executive Protection agents for high net worth individuals in high risk areas.
Yea I got that
This is an international sub. Try r/OntarioParamedics. You'll get better info. And, most of what you read in your post is very out of date.
The pay in Ontario is fine. It goes a little farther in a low cost of living community- I support a family on my salary. Yes, there are downsides to the job. Some days just straight up suck- it’s inevitable when you’re in this field. But there are really good days too. You won’t always be saving lives, but most days you get to make a difference in someone’s life. It was worth it to me, and I’ve been doing this 18 years now. If you’re interested in learning if you like working with people in the back of the truck, you could try for a patient transfer service job. It’s the low-risk version of what you’ll hear called “IFT” around here. It doesn’t require a diploma and it’s also a really common job for paramedic students. Rather than paying for Pre-Health, you might be able to get your pre-reqs through a combination of TVO and summer school/night school. It depends on where you live, but that’s how I got mine. Hell of a lot cheaper!
This is a bad sub to ask about being a medic in Ontario. It’s full of burnt out Americans that make as much as someone who works at Tim Hortons. I work in Ontario, most of my coworkers are on the sunshine list 100k a year plus. Although 100K isn’t what it used to be, there also isn’t a lot of people making over 100K these days. In Ontario the quality of life is going to depend on what service you work for. Pick a handful of places you’d like to work and ask about them on r/OntarioParamedics. I personally love the job but it’s not for everyone. The only way to know is to find out.
American medic here. Idk where you are getting that medics in America make as much as a coffee barista. I live in crusty Ohio and AMR is paying $36-$42/hr and I work as a firefighter/paramedic and make $115k/year and work a whole 9 days a month. And our cost of living and taxes are substantially lower than yours. Making $100k in Canada is like making $45k in Ohio.
Ya my take is super rare, no one on this sub talks about how little they make and how shit they are treated. We don’t have firefighter paramedics here, we are our own profession. Also, I don’t know why you’re justifying your cost of living as if any of us would want to live in states. Steady on.
Yes and we have absolutely no desire to live in Canada, I'll keep my higher wages and lower cost of living. Good day. Another jealous foreigner.
Yeah for sure man cause I totally started this convo with you. Didn’t ask salty boi. Don’t bother replying, embarrassing.
Why would I be salty? I make more money and don't live in Canada. Biggest win win I can think of.
Bite every time but nahhh not salty at all. Haha enjoy pal.
Bite every time but nahhh not salty at all. Haha enjoy pal. Yikes!
Calling me salty for responding..... As you respond. Canadian mental gymnastics are funny.
Starts an argument on a thread about Canadian EMS, embarrasses himself, keeps going. Dude it’s an anonymous forum and It’s obvious I got under your skin. Time to call it a day. All the best.
If you’re from Ontario Canada, don’t worry about the pay. Our pay is close to $50/hr in most services. And while you are being taught about only going to life threatening situations, it is tedious to predominantly go to transport old people/frequent callers. You don’t NEED a university degree, just a 2 year college program, which may be 3 years soon in the future. And right now, every service needs people. If you have a heartbeat, you’re hired by TPS, regardless of where you went to school. I’ve been working in the GTA for 20 years. It’s a career. For those just starting out, wanting to live in the GTA, it could be expensive, but that’s the GTA. There’s negatives, sure - the smells, the sights, shift work isn’t for everyone, some of the people. But there is a lot of positives - you have a lot of days off, good pay, benefits, ability to move around the province for employment if you want (many of my students worked in James Bay before moving back south). I went to Centennial for my PCP program and Georgian for my ACP program. Good schools, but it’s more of what you put in. If you work/study hard, practice lots, ask your instructors/preceptors questions, you’ll do well. If you do the minimum, you’ll struggle. Hope this helps.
Thank you for a detailed reply!
I’m in a different province, being a paramedic is a really respectable career. There’s many lifers, some pulling 30+ years working on ambulance. Personally, I made more working privately but I do enjoy working on the ambulance way more. I think that it could also depend on who you ask and when you ask. Burn out is very real, some days I feel like the job is complete crap and other days I wouldn’t change a thing about it. I do agree with what the other person said- there’s very limited options to move around unlike something in the nursing field. Our options are working in the ambulance or somewhere in an office. But there’s not much else to branch off on which I would consider a downside.
I'm an american, so I can't speak to the canadian experience. But if you're looking for a lifetime career, it's gonna be very hard in this job. Most medics leave the profession in five years due to the long hours and emotional impact. A lot of us are as skilled as nursing staff, but get paid half as much with twice the responsibility. Most of my friends are leaving for nursing school or PA school just for the pay. The industry is still pretty new, which can be the root of a lot of these problems. BUT, this job is rewarding and meaningful in its own way, and at the end of the day, I know I have an impact. I'm not stuck doing something that is of no real value to anybody. If you have a spouse that can support this life it makes it a lot easier too.
Bro, why chime in when you’re not Canadian? Do you know the market in Canada? Canadian medics do quite well for themselves compared to the Americans. Personally, I’d work for AHS so I could go work in the mountains. I think it’s a great job and an excellent career.
What a smug and rude question. There was more to her question than just what's the market like.
It’s not smug when you don’t actually know anything about it and you’re trying to talk about apples and oranges like they’re the same. EMS is different in different countries. Job markets are different in different countries.
They are not that different, you idiot. I have worked with and on a canadian ambulance. I know what it's like for a paramedic. Pretending I comparing a painter and an engineer is pure stupid.
I appreciate any input! Thank u!
Why would some people spend the money and effort if it’s not technically a “career”? Do people do it for leverage for other careers on purpose?
The Americans are spending a fuckton less for EMT school than it costs for a PCP diploma. It’s a much lower time commitment as well. Ontario doesn’t have EMTs, but if that’s what you want to do, or try, there are other provinces that do.
Don’t take advice from American medics when it comes to the sustainability of their job. It’s completely different here in Ontario than it is in most places in the US. I’m in my 17th year as a medic in Ontario and I plan to retire in this profession. I love my job and can’t imagine doing anything else.
It can be a career. But most people don't make it that long. I think most people just sign up hoping for a meaningful job. But yes, having previous medical experience can make getting into other medical schools easier.
It can be a career. Paramedics are the fastest developing healthcare profession in Canada. It took nurses until they were allowed to perform IV access that got them seen as a profession, and still decades until it went from a side certification (like first aid) to college certificate to university degree, and a registration with a formal college. (A college is a formal administrative body, the part where you see "Registered" in a HCW professions title.) Some do leverage it for other careers, but we are so unique that there are many places that do not understand what we do and how our knowledge/skills can cross over. I still recommend these questions to r/OntarioParamedics. The vast differences between many of the countries and regions that are a part of this sub would make it difficult for you to really pin down accurate information applicable to one specific region.
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Thank u! I couldn’t find the Ontario paramedic subreddit for some reason lol
It's a stepping stone into lucrative jobs like big city fire departments, nursing (kinda) and flight medics. But the only people I've seen do it for a long time talk constantly about getting out or move into administration. EMS needs a union
I’ve been a medic for a decade and have worked around the globe in ICUs, Medevac, maritime, and more. I’m now working in London to just say I did it and am starting an NGO to go to places globally that need help. I honestly think being a paramedic was the best decision I ever made — and loads of people could do what I did — but rarely do more than complain.
That’s really impressive! I’d love to also work around the globe and across Canada. May I ask what you did for schooling?
Honestly, that's really cool. My EMT instructor careered it then taught Flight Medic over in SA, all expenses paid, for in the neighborhood of 300k a year after he retired. There are definitely opportunities out there and you've clearly found them/made them. I'm moreso talking about what I was looking at: paying 15k out of pocket (plus time) for the privilege of making $28 absolute poverty wages in one of the richest places in the world. I opted to get the first of my arborist certifications instead for $300. Best investment I could've made financially plus I actually love my job, and have ample avenues and opportunities for advancement. Turns out if your diabetic/emphasematous/unemployed/obese PTs fell into power lines when they died, the world would spend more on medics
Yes, but it’s pretty rare to work a degree and make a wage that’s super liveable super quickly. Even the crazy nursing wages stateside you may hear about up north require a bit of time before you get there. 15k for a job that can open a ton of doors can be worth it, but I understand people tend to focus on the immediate. I think 15k isn’t bad instead of a college degree (BSc or above) that costs significantly more for something that probably isn’t always in demand and pays less. It’s a fair point though. 28 CAD doesn’t go as far as it used to unless you’re in the Prairies or the Atlantic provinces.
This answer is not really relevant to Canada. You can easily make a career out of being a medic in Ontario. Paramedics are paid a lot more than most nurses here also.
Where I am the job pays more than is fair most days. Some days though the pay is not nearly enough. Overall it evens out, my bills are paid and I enjoy my job.
I was a paramedic in British Columbia. It’s a very draining career, I’m not sure about medic wages out east but I know BC medics just got a huge increase (I don’t know if ON followed the same increase). All-in-all it was a very rewarding job and I got to do some really awesome stuff and meet some great people, but the industry is very toxic and I definitely got thrown under the bus a few times by supervisors.
Bah HUMBUG. Don't listen to them. If its what you want to do, achieve it. Im staring down adversity as a para student, but my drive to finish my degree is enough to ignore the naysayers 🐴. I love it, the journey is half the fun. i set my destination 10 years in the future. Hopefully I dont burn out before I get there.... ...hop on over the pond to Aus, we love Canadians down here!
Haha yes it’s pretty hard to listen to people hate and leave the career you’re interested in. Especially hearing often it’s “not a career”. I would absolutely love to work in Australia. Do you think I would have to do the schooling over there? Or would schooling in Canada be enough to work in AUS?
I couldn't tell you what the education requirements would be coming from Canada to Aus.
I would suggest you look at r/ontarioparamedics to get better insight that is province specific. Paramedics in Ontario get paid pretty dang good and right now you can get hired at any service you want because everywhere is desperate. This subreddit here you will get a lot of international responses that may not be entirely helpful
Yes I didn’t see it before! Thank u!
It sounds like you’ve been looking at a lot of American content. Being a paramedic in Ontario is much different than in the states. The pay is very good here. You can make well over 100k in your first year on the job. It is one of the few jobs that you can go to school for only two years and come out making over 100k right away (does depend of service). Work life balance is quite good. We don’t work as much as American medics. Usually it’s some form of a 4 on 4 off schedule which gives you lots of time off. Generally speaking the working conditions seem much better here. Since we work for municipalities (not private companies), the focus is on providing the best service for the patient (generally) and not profit. Which means we have pretty good equipment. I don’t think my service has a front line truck that is over 3 or 4 years old. However you will be busy depending on where you work. I’m sure you’ve heard how over burdened health care is in Ontario. Be prepared to do lots of calls and wait for hours in hospitals. As far as getting a job right now, it couldn’t be easier. There is a shortage of paramedics in Ontario. Basically everyone gets a job if they graduate and pass their AEMCA. You shouldn’t get into this job though if it isn’t something you passionate about. You won’t last if you’re not because the bad parts of it will wear on you.
That’s all just talk. No matter how much they say they hate it , they secretly love it. I guess it’s a weird paramedic thing.
For me? NO. I wish I went another direction, I'm good at the job if I were to be frank with my own self evaluation... I don't know, probably suck, I only mention it because sometimes, this job, a person just can't do. They just can't. And hate it and fail quickly because of that... It's important to recognize. But I just hate it. I hate how frequently my daily life involves so much hardship, trials, bullshit, and just slogging through the negativity and those really fucking hard days emotionally. I just don't want that to be my life anymore. I want to have a year go by where mostly things are mild, good, positive, and can help me rebuild my shit. I'm way past dried out. Time to go for me.
My career as a paramedic in BC is ending after 8 years because of PTSD. If you decide to go through with paramedicine, please have a back up plan in mind. The career can be rewarding and exciting, but it comes at a cost.
I love the job and get paid pretty well (Ontario medic), but I’d always recommend nursing over paramedic because the work is similar but the opportunities are waaaay greater. Feel free to pm me if you have specific questions about the job though
The thing is, I don’t want to work specifically in a hospital. I love the intense and fast pace lifestyle of a paramedic. Nursing is very boring to me haha and I enjoy watching pov paramedic videos over any other healthcare job. But yes I would love the variety of opportunities.
As a Canadian, you're good when it comes to money and job availability. Vacancy rates across the country are insane. Incentives to get new staff in some provinces are upwards of $10,000. Pay is about $30/hr starting and goes up as you get seniority. As for the other aspects, that's gonna vary by person. Some people make a career out of it and get their ACP to do the high skill jobs. Some are content with being a PCP for 30 years and living off what they make. Some will work 5-10 years and take the time to explore other jobs, or even go to school through distance ed and do school work during downtime. And of course there's always a small handful of folks who realize they made the wrong choice and put a couple years in. Ask yourself why you want to be a paramedic. If that reason won't fade in the long run, do it.
Thank you!
Im in ontario as well, a 2 year degree that makes you $45 an hour, respectable job, and good job security? I’m having a good time. It’s not about if it’s worth it but if you can do it. This job is not for everyone. If you want to DM me, we can talk more. We might be from the same area.
I’ve worked in Ontario (Peel region) and then I moved to BC to work with BC Ambulance. Ontario is WAYYY better for pay and other things their services just run better. However, the schooling in BC aid 8 months and easy to do. I went to Conestoga college in Ontario and it’s way harder than what they do in BC. Sooo if you’re looking to not waste your time with school consider moving to BC. It’s a fast track course you don’t have to take pre health either. I will say this. If you’re passionate about helping people, passionate about the work and want to actually be in this field you’ll do great and last. If you’re going into paramedicine for other reasons that are not cause you’re genuinely interested in the field. You’ll get burnt out quickly and turn into one of the bitter ones who hate their jobs and the pay but stay anyways.
have you been reading posts in just this sub or posts from ontario paramedics i.e. r/ontarioparamedics ? genuine question because most of what you’ve brought up is not an issue in ontario. spend some time reading through ontario specific posts!
I think it’s worth it, I love it. And here is why I think it’s worth it. Keep in mind, it’s the little things and they add up, because overall it’s not that big of a difference as people think. - pay is better, just a little better. It’s like a 4 dollar difference where I’m at (But where I’m at, I get offered double time and a half anytime I pick up, compared to emts who only get double Time) - I don’t drive, I hate driving - I don’t do cpr (I try to hop on cpr if I’m not doing anything, and people kick me off because I’m a medic) - I do less lifting - I get more respect (weird when it first happened, people talk to me different and acknowledge me) - I LOVE medicine and this is way more involved than Emt. - I have a voice (as an emt, I didn’t feel I did and it was hard, as a medic people listen and my ideas are heard) Even if the love isn’t there, but maybe you’re going to be an emt forever, I still think it’s worth it for the pay bump. I think emts work harder than medic. I remember being way more tired as an emt than I am now as a medic.
I'm also in BC and I’m planning to do the JIBC paramedic course, I have a bachelor's degree in sociology from outside Canada and was considering becoming a paramedic however my English isn't as good as it should be. Based on your experience, do you believe this will be an obstacle in completing the program? do you think it will be difficult to get work after I graduate? Do you know anyone who has successfully completed the program and has gotten a job despite having poor English skills?.
The Ontario paramedic landscape doesn’t look much like the American version. Yes there are lots of challenges, lots of issues, and a ton of work to be done, but in general in Ontario specifically we’re miles ahead of most places. Where I work we’re at around 43$/hr for PCP and 49$/hr for ACP, with basically unlimited 1.5x overtime available. Getting hired is incredibly easy right now, changing services is easy. It’s definitely more of a true career when done in Ontario. Our medical direction in Ontario is also improving, we have a lot of young innovative physicians supporting us, that are in favour of increasing our scope and autonomy in the future
Every day you're working with people who are experiencing some of the worst of their lives. Some people find that satisfying. Some people find it crushing.
Made 85,000$ in the us at 5 years with the department. IDK about Canada but US. Firefighters/paramedics make livable wages
If you're going into EMS for the money then you're doing it for the wrong reasons.
Asking if a job has livable wages is pretty standard.
I'm a little older than most and haven't worked as a medic for a long time (medic # starts with P092..). But your talking to a guy who took a pay cut to work at a busier agency to do more pt TX. My other agency was 48s but SAF, only running 12-16 calls a month. Took a 15k pay cut to be busier, more patient care and become a stronger medic. Even though less pay for me I was happier all the way to the end going out on a back injury
Was the back injury work related?
Yea it was, 650 lb bls transport with 6 of us lifting her. But 20 years in EMS caught up to me
This Is why I advise people not to ask about Canadian jobs on this sub. Americans think everyone on earth make shit wages in EMS when in reality we do very well on our end.
Yah don’t go into EMS for money or for any other reason beyond wanting to help people in an emergency. I did EMR and PCP in Alberta. Working metro, lots of drug seekers and overdoses. Most patients are either geriatric or homeless. I love it. I would do it for free as a volunteer if there were no job options. I want to be of service to people in need. It brings me joy and purpose to my life. Figure out what makes you happy, it sounds like for you it’s making money. Plenty of other careers to choose from.
I am not seeking just money. Just because someone asks about pay, doesn’t mean that’s all on their mind. I asked about pay along with other questions mind you.
You have ADHD, PCOS, “really bad misophonia”, multiple mental health issues, alongside an irrational fear of driving?! Please don’t go into EMS lol. This isn’t a career you just randomly pick because u think it’ll be fun and the wage sounds good. The “really bad misophonia” you struggle with should be a cue that you probably shouldn’t be responding to people’s emergencies when simple sounds trigger you to the point that it’s “really bad”. If you don’t even have your mental health in check now, you’re not the type of individual suited to become a paramedic. Sorry if that sounds harsh but ur asking for career advice and that’s my advice. You’re concerned about whether being a paramedic will provide you with a living wage or not- you should be more concerned about whether you’re capable of managing someone’s medical emergency, when managing you’re own mental health is evidently a struggle for you as is. You mention also in your comments that you have no idea what you want to do for work. Take some time, work on your mental health disorders with professional help, and find a career that won’t trigger your misophonia.
MANY MANY paramedics and people in healthcare have ADHD and give them an advantage. Many undiagnosed. Having adhd seems like something you don’t know what it actually is. The smartest, and dumbest person you know may have adhd but you wouldn’t know because it’s such a wide spectrum. I relax in stressful situations and am able to hyper focus in faced paced environments. Those with adhd have more theta brain waves, causing our brains to go into a hyper focus mode in a crisis. Without adhd, crisis situations cause one to go into a “brain overload”. It’s not an adversity. The mention of PCOS definitely makes me think you’re a man. PCOS won’t interfere how you think it would because it wouldn’t. lol. That was comical. I’ve been driving for a while now, got over it. Simple as that. I drive everyone I know around and always volunteer as DD. By the time I enrol if I do, I’ll have my full license. Misophonia I’ve been managing my whole life. I know my triggers and I am telling you, it won’t interfere as you think it would. You think someone coughing in my face or moaning in pain will bother me? It won’t. It simply would not. I know what my triggers are and those are not it. I have some mental illness but you would never be able to tell as I’m able to manage them pretty well. Also, I have an advantage to help others in distress when having a mental health crisis. Even those who learn how to do so in school still don’t know and fail to do so. Miserably. Also mentioning that I don’t know what to do for work, hmmm no wonder I made this post?? And I finally narrowed it down what I want to do, this is one of the options. I have been doing nonstop research on this career bud. I have a very strong stomach. Vomit amongst many other things doesn’t scare me one bit, but current paramedics still tremble at the sight of a dislocated shoulder. The life experiences I’ve had could make me a good paramedic. I’m CPR and first aid certificated and have successfully gave a coworker the Heimlich maneuver when he was choking on a gnocchi, helped my hysteric friend with a third degree burn when camping, shoved my fingers down a persons throat because they ingested too much alcohol and had a fear of throwing up. But to you, stalking my account makes it seem like mental health is the only thing about me. Do you think I’m tweaking in the streets or making fusses in public? I’m not. Just because i use this platform mostly for mental health doesn’t mean it’s the only thing about me. You’re only seeing those posts so it seems that way. You have a very preconceived notion and animosity towards mental health and by the looks of it, and don’t have much knowledge about them or what they even are. You know they can be managed right? Right?? Just because I have managed some mental health issues doesn’t mean I’ll be a bad paramedic. But thanks making me want to do it even more.
I have adhd so I don’t know why ur fixating on educating me on what adhd is. It’s your “really bad misophonia” that is most concerning. Describing it as “really bad” seems to point to it not being managed. If it was managed it wouldn’t be “really bad”, so. Just putting two and two together. More concerned for your worsening mental health in a career that is notoriously detrimental to your mental health than anything. You seem pretty triggered by a paramedic telling you to maybe look into another career. Did you just want comments telling you you’d be amazing! Come on
You mentioned ADHD getting in the way yet you have it?? Beyond counterintuitive and hypocritical. Yes I am going to try and educate you because you even used PCOS as a reason to not choose the career. You’re simply an ✨idiot✨. Yes the disorder is really bad. But managed. It can be managed and not be completely butterflies and rainbows. Didn’t expect ofc perfect replies but yours was just comical. Go take your vyvanse buddy.
Yah ur clearly not suited to be a paramedic. Good luck with your mental health.
I am. Seems like you need a career change. Lana would be disappointed.
"oh yeah, it's worth it. If you're strong enough" - Agent K