Emergency Care Attendant: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Emergency Care Attendant programs equip students with the essential skills to support licensed emergency medical technicians in high-pressure, real-world scenarios. Focused on rapid response and patient stabilization, this training prepares individuals to operate critical emergency equipment, manage transport logistics, and uphold strict medical protocols under physician supervision.
- Emergency Medical Field Techniques: Learn foundational procedures for assessing and managing acute medical and traumatic conditions in pre-hospital settings, including airway management, bleeding control, and shock mitigation.
- Patient Stabilization and Care: Develop competencies in immobilizing injuries, monitoring vital signs, and delivering time-sensitive interventions to maintain patient stability during transport.
- Medical Field Communications: Master effective, concise communication protocols with EMTs, paramedics, and hospital staff using standardized terminology and radio procedures.
- Emergency Vehicle Operation: Gain hands-on experience in safely operating emergency response vehicles, including maneuvering in high-stress environments and adhering to traffic laws and emergency driving standards.
- Equipment Operation and Maintenance: Become proficient in the setup, use, and routine upkeep of life support systems, oxygen delivery devices, and other critical field equipment.
- Regulatory and Safety Standards: Understand federal, state, and local guidelines governing emergency medical services, including documentation, patient confidentiality, and operational safety compliance.
Emergency Care Attendant Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Emergency Care Attendant Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Emergency Care Attendant degrees, including Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 12,080 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians 53-3011 | $34,330 | $25,460 - $46,630 | 12,080 | $16.51 |
Emergency Care Attendant Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $23,080 in Mississippi to $43,490 in Oklahoma—a 88% difference. The highest-paying states include Oklahoma, Washington, and Oregon. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 12,080 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Emergency Care Attendant by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 77 institutions offering Emergency Care Attendant programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Emergency Care Attendant is found at Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) (679 graduates), College of Lake County (CLC) (197 graduates), North Seattle College (NSC) (150 graduates), Century College (139 graduates), and Sinclair Community College (131 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 3,923 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) |
Residency
Other Award
|
679 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | ivytech.edu |
| College of Lake County (CLC) |
Residency
|
197 | Grayslake, Illinois | Public | clcillinois.edu |
| North Seattle College (NSC) |
Other Award
|
150 | Seattle, Washington | Public | northseattle.edu |
| Century College |
Other Award
|
139 | White Bear Lake, Minnesota | Public | century.edu |
| Sinclair Community College |
Residency
|
131 | Dayton, Ohio | Public | sinclair.edu |
| Hutchinson Community College (HutchCC) |
Other Award
|
126 | Hutchinson, Kansas | Public | hutchcc.edu |
| Tacoma Community College (TCC ) |
Residency
Other Award
|
117 | Tacoma, Washington | Public | tacomacc.edu |
| Waubonsee Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
116 | Sugar Grove, Illinois | Public | waubonsee.edu |
| City Colleges of Chicago (MXC) |
Residency
|
109 | Chicago, Illinois | Public | ccc.edu |
| Davis Technical College (DATC) |
Residency
|
102 | Kaysville, Utah | Public | davistech.edu |
| McHenry County College (MCC) |
Other Award
|
98 | Crystal Lake, Illinois | Public | mchenry.edu |
| Elgin Community College (ECC) |
Residency
|
97 | Elgin, Illinois | Public | elgin.edu |
| Parkland College |
Residency
|
94 | Champaign, Illinois | Public | parkland.edu |
| Skagit Valley College (SVC) |
Other Award
|
92 | Mount Vernon, Washington | Public | skagit.edu |
| Heartland Community College (HCC ) |
Residency
|
92 | Normal, Illinois | Public | heartland.edu |
| Oakland Community College (OCC) |
Other Award
|
82 | Auburn Hills, Michigan | Public | oaklandcc.edu |
| Johnson County Community College (JCCC) |
Residency
|
76 | Overland Park, Kansas | Public | jccc.edu |
| William Rainey Harper College |
Other Award
|
75 | Palatine, Illinois | Public | harpercollege.edu |
| Anoka Technical College |
Other Award
|
75 | Anoka, Minnesota | Public | anokatech.edu |
| Apollo Career Center (ACC) |
Residency
|
75 | Lima, Ohio | Public | apollocareercenter.com |
| Cowley County Community College |
Other Award
|
65 | Arkansas City, Kansas | Public | cowley.edu |
| Northcentral Technical College (NTC) |
Residency
|
58 | Wausau, Wisconsin | Public | ntc.edu |
| Kansas City Kansas Community College (KCKCC) |
Other Award
|
53 | Kansas City, Kansas | Public | kckcc.edu |
| Inver Hills Community College (IHCC) |
Other Award
|
50 | Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota | Public | inverhills.edu |
| Barton County Community College |
Residency
|
49 | Great Bend, Kansas | Public | bartonccc.edu |
| Rio Grande Valley College |
Other Award
|
45 | Pharr, Texas | Private | rgvcollege.edu |
| Olney Central College (OCC) |
Residency
Other Award
|
44 | Olney, Illinois | Public | iecc.edu |
| Illinois Central College (ICC) |
Residency
|
41 | East Peoria, Illinois | Public | icc.edu |
| Clark College |
Residency
Other Award
|
41 | Vancouver, Washington | Public | clark.edu |
| Prairie State College (PSC) |
Residency
Other Award
|
39 | Chicago Heights, Illinois | Public | prairiestate.edu |
| Dorsey College |
Residency
|
38 | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Private | dorsey.edu |
| Peninsula College |
Residency
Other Award
|
37 | Port Angeles, Washington | Public | pencol.edu |
| Dorsey College |
Residency
|
36 | Madison Heights, Michigan | Private | dorsey.edu |
| EHOVE Career Center |
Residency
|
36 | Milan, Ohio | Public | ehove.net |
| Bellingham Technical College (BTC) |
Residency
Other Award
|
32 | Bellingham, Washington | Public | btc.edu |
| Kellogg Community College (KCC) |
Other Award
|
31 | Battle Creek, Michigan | Public | kellogg.edu |
| Pike County Joint Vocational School District |
Residency
|
31 | Piketon, Ohio | Public | pikectc.org |
| Dorsey College |
Residency
|
30 | Woodhaven, Michigan | Private | dorsey.edu |
| Clovis Community College (CCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
28 | Clovis, New Mexico | Public | clovis.edu |
| John A Logan College (JALC) |
Other Award
|
27 | Carterville, Illinois | Public | jalc.edu |
| Kishwaukee College (Kish) |
Residency
|
26 | Malta, Illinois | Public | kish.edu |
| Hennepin Technical College (HTC) |
Other Award
|
25 | Brooklyn Park, Minnesota | Public | hennepintech.edu |
| Columbia Basin College (CBC) |
Residency
Other Award
|
25 | Pasco, Washington | Public | columbiabasin.edu |
| Mt. Diablo Adult Education (MDAE) |
Residency
|
23 | Concord, California | Public | mdae.mdusd.org |
| University of Arkansas (UAHT) |
Residency
|
21 | Hope, Arkansas | Public | uaht.edu |
| Neosho County Community College (NCCC) |
Other Award
|
20 | Chanute, Kansas | Public | neosho.edu |
| Minnesota North College |
Other Award
|
20 | Hibbing, Minnesota | Public | minnesotanorth.edu |
| Independence Community College (ICC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
18 | Independence, Kansas | Public | indycc.edu |
| Bates Technical College |
Other Award
|
17 | Tacoma, Washington | Public | batestech.edu |
| Flint Hills Technical College (FHTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Residency
|
16 | Emporia, Kansas | Public | fhtc.edu |
| Edison State Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
16 | Piqua, Ohio | Public | edisonohio.edu |
| Fort Scott Community College (FSCC) |
Other Award
|
15 | Fort Scott, Kansas | Public | fortscott.edu |
| Garden City Community College (GCCC) |
Residency
Other Award
|
15 | Garden City, Kansas | Public | gcccks.edu |
| Salina Area Technical College |
Other Award
|
13 | Salina, Kansas | Public | salinatech.edu |
| Auburn Career Center |
Residency
|
13 | Concord Twp, Ohio | Public | auburncc.org |
| University of Toledo (UToledo) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Residency
|
13 | Toledo, Ohio | Public | utoledo.edu |
| Robert Morgan Educational Center and Technical College |
Residency
|
11 | Miami, Florida | Public | robertmorgantech.net |
| Centralia College |
Other Award
|
11 | Centralia, Washington | Public | centralia.edu |
| Red River Technology Center (RRTC) |
Other Award
|
11 | Duncan, Oklahoma | Public | rrtc.edu |
| Pinellas Technical College (PTC) |
Residency
|
7 | Saint Petersburg, Florida | Public | myptc.edu |
| Mount Wachusett Community College (MWCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
7 | Gardner, Massachusetts | Public | mwcc.edu |
| Highland Community College (HCC) |
Residency
|
6 | Highland, Kansas | Public | highlandcc.edu |
| Pierce College District |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
6 | Lakewood, Washington | Public | pierce.ctc.edu |
| Pine Technical & Community College (PTCC) |
Other Award
|
5 | Pine City, Minnesota | Public | pine.edu |
| Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC) |
Other Award
|
5 | Rochester, Minnesota | Public | rctc.edu |
| Saint Louis Community College (STLCC) |
Other Award
|
5 | Bridgeton, Missouri | Public | stlcc.edu |
| Tulsa Community College (TCC) |
Other Award
|
4 | Tulsa, Oklahoma | Public | tulsacc.edu |
| UCNJ Union College of Union County NJ (UCNJ) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
3 | Cranford, New Jersey | Public | ucc.edu |
| Massachusetts Bay Community College (MassBay) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
2 | Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts | Public | massbay.edu |
| Quincy College |
Residency
|
2 | Quincy, Massachusetts | Public | quincycollege.edu |
| Riverland Community College |
Other Award
|
2 | Austin, Minnesota | Public | riverland.edu |
| Minnesota West Community and Technical College |
Residency
Other Award
|
2 | Granite Falls, Minnesota | Public | mnwest.edu |
| Lamar Community College (LCC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Lamar, Colorado | Public | lamarcc.edu |
| Cloud County Community College |
Other Award
|
1 | Concordia, Kansas | Public | cloud.edu |
| Bristol Community College |
Residency
|
1 | Fall River, Massachusetts | Public | bristolcc.edu |
| Erie Community College (SUNY Erie) |
Other Award
|
1 | Buffalo, New York | Public | ecc.edu |
| Monroe Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Rochester, New York | Public | monroecc.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Emergency Care Attendant programs
How much can I earn with a Emergency Care Attendant degree?
Salaries for Emergency Care Attendant graduates vary by role and location. Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians earn a median of $34,330 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Oklahoma average $43,490 compared to $23,080 in Mississippi. Approximately 12,080 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Emergency Care Attendant programs?
Currently 77 accredited institutions offer Emergency Care Attendant degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) (679 graduates), College of Lake County (CLC) (197 graduates), and North Seattle College (NSC) (150 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Emergency Care Attendant growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 2,028 in 2010 to 3,923 in 2023-24. This represents a 93% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Emergency Care Attendant degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians. Related occupations employ approximately 12,080 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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