Ambulance Officers and Paramedics
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Ambulance Officers and Paramedics provide emergency health care and transport for injured, sick, infirm and aged persons to medical facilities.
Tasks
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attending accidents, emergencies and requests for medical assistance
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assessing health of patients, determining need for assistance, and assessing specialised needs and factors affecting patients' conditions
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performing therapies and administering drugs according to protocol
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resuscitating and defibrillating patients and operating life-support equipment
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transporting accident victims to medical facilities
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transporting sick and disabled persons to and from medical facilities for specialised treatment and rehabilitation
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instructing community groups and essential service workers in first aid
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attending public gatherings and sporting events where accidents and other health emergencies may occur
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ensuring that ambulances are adequately maintained and stocked with medical supplies, and that equipment is in good working order
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preparing written reports on the state of patients' injuries and treatment provided
Characteristics
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University
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Practical
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Analytical
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Enterprising
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Helping
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Sedentary
-
Light
-
Medium
-
Heavy
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Very Heavy
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. The latest data are for the five years from November 2021 to November 2026. Over this period, the number of workers:
- is expected to grow strongly
- is likely to reach 21,000 by 2026.
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Notes: The number employed includes people who work in this occupation as their main job. People who work in more than one job are counted against the occupation they work the most hours in.
Employment projections figures are rounded to the nearest 100. Calculations based on these rounded figures may result in differences to the numbers that are displayed on this page. Employment projections data (including occupations) can be downloaded from the Employment Projections page.
Number of Workers
Year | Employment |
---|---|
2011 | 15,700 |
2012 | 17,700 |
2013 | 13,300 |
2014 | 10,100 |
2015 | 18,500 |
2016 | 17,400 |
2017 | 19,600 |
2018 | 19,200 |
2019 | 17,100 |
2020 | 16,800 |
2021 | 19,400 |
2026 | 21,000 |
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, ABS seasonally adjusted data to November 2021 and Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 86% of people employed as Ambulance Officers and Paramedics work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 20 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 48 hours per week in their main job. This is 4 hours more than the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
More than three-quarters of workers regularly work overtime or extra hours (either paid or unpaid).
Median full-time earnings are $2,333 per week, this is much higher than the all jobs median ($1,593):
- 3 in 4 workers earn more than $1,886
- 1 in 4 earn more than $2,788
Median hourly earnings are $56, this is more than the all jobs median ($41 per hour).
Sources: Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average. Overtime hours: ABS, Characteristics of Employment, 2021. Full-time median earnings and median hourly earnings: ABS, Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021. Compared to all jobs median.
Weekly Earnings (Before Tax)
Earnings | Ambulance Officers and Paramedics | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Full-Time Earnings | 2,333 | 1,593 |
Total Earnings | 0 | 0 |
Source: Based on ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021, Customised Report. Median weekly total cash earnings for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. Earnings are before tax and include amounts salary sacrificed. Earnings can vary greatly depending on the skills and experience of the worker and the demands of the role. These figures should be used as a guide only, not to determine a wage rate.
Industries
Main industries
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Most Ambulance Officers and Paramedics work in the Health care and social assistance industry.
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, annual average 2021.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Ambulance Officers and Paramedics | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 28.2 | 31.6 |
VIC | 29.0 | 25.6 |
QLD | 23.4 | 20.0 |
SA | 7.3 | 7.0 |
WA | 7.5 | 10.8 |
TAS | 2.4 | 2.0 |
NT | 1.1 | 1.0 |
ACT | 1.0 | 1.9 |
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Around 53% of Ambulance Officers and Paramedics live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
Victoria and Victoria have a large share of employment relative to their population size.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
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The median age of Ambulance Officers and Paramedics is 40 years. This is the same as the all jobs average.
A large share of workers are aged 25 to 34 years.
Females make up 37% of the workforce. This is 11 percentage points below the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Ambulance Officers and Paramedics | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 0.1 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 6.8 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 29.3 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 25.5 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 24.2 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 8.5 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 3.9 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 1.6 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 40 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
A bachelor degree in paramedicine, health science or an equivalent course is usually needed to work as an Ambulance Officer or Paramedic. Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses may be available for some Ambulance Officer specialisations (volunteer paramedics and non-emergency patient transport officer for example).
Registration with the Paramedicine Board of Australia is required.
Visit
- Course Seeker to search and compare higher education courses.
- ComparED to compare undergraduate and postgraduate student experiences and outcomes.
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Health Industry VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Ambulance Officers and Paramedics | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 7.8 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 48.3 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 31.3 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 7.1 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 3.2 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 0.7 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 1.6 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Ambulance Officers and Paramedics who are caring, compassionate and empathetic and can communicate clearly with a diverse range of people.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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57%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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57%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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57%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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55%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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55%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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55%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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55%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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54%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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52%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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52%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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50%
ScienceUsing scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
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48%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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46%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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46%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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45%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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45%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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43%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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43%
Systems evaluationMeasuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
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43%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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41%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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89%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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74%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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71%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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70%
Medicine and dentistryDiagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities, including preventive health-care measures.
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69%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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65%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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59%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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58%
Therapy and counsellingDiagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and career counselling and guidance.
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54%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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54%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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51%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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50%
BiologyPlant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, how they rely on and work with each other and the environment.
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49%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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48%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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47%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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46%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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43%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
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42%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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41%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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39%
GeographyDescribing land, sea, and air, including their physical characteristics, locations, how they work together, and the location of plant, animal, and human life.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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59%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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59%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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59%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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57%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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57%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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57%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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55%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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55%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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55%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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54%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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54%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
-
52%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
-
52%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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52%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
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52%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
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50%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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50%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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50%
Response orientationQuickly choose the right movement of the hand, foot, or other body part when there are two or more different signals (lights, sounds, pictures).
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48%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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46%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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86%
Helping and caring for othersProviding personal assistance, medical attention, or emotional support.
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81%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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78%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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77%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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76%
Working with the publicGreeting or serving customers, clients or guests, and public speaking or performing.
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73%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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72%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
-
72%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
-
72%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
-
71%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
-
70%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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67%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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66%
Communicating with the publicGiving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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66%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
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62%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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61%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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57%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
-
56%
Working with computersUsing computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
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52%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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50%
Explaining things to peopleHelping people to understand and use information.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
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90%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
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67%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
-
62%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
-
57%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
-
38%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
-
19%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
Values
-
86%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
-
76%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
-
57%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
-
57%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
-
57%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
-
55%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
Demands
-
97%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
97%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
-
97%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
-
96%
Outdoors, exposed to weatherWork outdoors, exposed to the weather.
-
96%
Contact with the publicWork with customers or the public.
-
94%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
-
94%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
-
92%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
92%
Consequence of errorWork where mistakes have serious consequences.
-
92%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
92%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
91%
Disease or infectionBe exposed to disease or infections.
-
91%
In an enclosed vehicle or equipmentWork in a closed vehicle (e.g., car).
-
91%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
91%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
90%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
-
90%
Electronic mailUse electronic mail.
-
88%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
-
86%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
-
85%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 29-2041.00 - Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
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Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.