In 2016, there were approximately 248,000 paramedics employed nationwide (Bureau of Labor, 2017). Specifically, in Virginia, approximately 5,110 paramedics were employed as of May 2016 (Bureau of Labor, 2017). The number of job openings for paramedics is projected to increase approximately 15% from 2016 to 2026, and this projection is higher than average (Bureau of Labor, 2017). This is due to the constant need for paramedics when emergencies such as accidents, acts of violence and natural disasters occur. The average salary of a paramedic is approximately $32,670 per year and approximately $15.71 per hour (Bureau of Labor, 2017). Specifically, in Virginia, the average pay for a paramedic is approximately $33,310 per year, slightly higher than the national average salary (Bureau of Labor, 2017). However, Washington state has the highest-paid paramedics, with a salary of approximately $65,320 per year (Bureau of Labor,