Moving into the area in a few years, best employment opportunities? (San Jose: insurance, purchase)

[Shankar108]

Howdy folks!

So I'm a recently graduated and registered EMT-B who lives north of the Seattle area in Washington. I'm currently almost finished with my AA and will be working on my BS soon. I plan on going to the Tuoro University for Osteopathic Medicine in about 3 years and living with some family in the Napa area, likely in the hills outside of the main city.

Currently I'm twenty years old and there only happens to be one EMS agency that is non fire based in my county. They said they would review my application once I turn 21 as their insurance won't cover me for now. I only really plan on being an EMT through school, but I do feel I will thoroughly enjoy the job given my personality.

Frankly I'm looking for the EMT job that will pay the best so that I can work and pay off my debt while in school. I'm curious as to what is the best option and pay rate/salary of Firefighter EMT's, Private EMTs and ER techs? Being an ER tech is great because I would get clinical experience, but I would prefer to be out in the field as well as work on a schedule where I can do my homework while I'm at work. Of these three which are the most difficult and easiest to get a job in? I'm not entirely concerned with that factor, but it's something nice to know.

Next fall quarter I can take the fire training course and afterwards start volunteering as a Firefighter/EMT. I'm not entirely sure if I want to do that. My questions are, if I get fire training here will they want me to retake it in California? (Because if so I'm not sure that it's worth it for me to delay my schooling for this).
If I then pass a fire exam and become a paid firefighter will I be able to do my work in California or do I need to pass another test?
Should I or do I need to get a higher level of EMT like EMT-I or EMT-A? What's the call ratio of EMS to EMT in the area?

Also what's the difference between working in a city like Vallejo, Napa and Fairfield between San Francisco and Sacramento? I'm interested in the difference of pay and any other factors you may think are important.

I really appreciate any feedback, thank you so much!

[04kL4nD]

I don't think either pays very well in CA, unfortunately

http://www.indeed.com/salary?q1=EMT&l1=san+francisco

[Shankar108]

Thanks.

My question is more related to Fire EMS vs Private EMS vs ER Tech however.

EDIT: And I'm skeptical of those websites, I would be more comfortable with some information from somebody who is involved in this.

[Hemlock140]

The fast-growing company in your area:

https://falcknc.candidatecare.jobs/

[Shankar108]

To rephrase the question simply, what sort of salaries do Private EMT-B's, Firefighters, and ER techs make in the area?

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

OP, look at the websites for city/county jobs. They always list the salary as well as all required eduction, etc. That's the best way to gauge what kind of salary you can be making in that city/county.

For instance, here's the job descriptions for Santa Clara County (which includes San Jose, Santa Clara, Palo Alto, etc.):

Job Specifications - Employee Services Agency - County of Santa Clara

Here's the county fire dept job descriptions:

Job Descriptions

[Joelle_SF]

To the OP, sounds like you're getting ahead of yourself considering your planned move isn't for a few years yet. A lot can change between now and then.

[lrmsd]

How will you work while enrolled in med school? Touro is a D.O. program which IS full blown 4 years of med school. Also, I think there could be a blog or website/professional organization for your field, where you can find more details about salaries, etc. Google average salary for different job titles plus the city, and you will get a median, as well. [not 100% reliable but an idea].

Have you checked out the DO program in WA state? It's in Yakima and is fairly new. They may be offering in state scholarships, too, if you agree to practice in the PNW for a few years after graduation. [I am not sure; I just know that med schools sometimes do this].

It doesn't seem like having a potentially high pressure/stress job like EMT, while in med school, is the ideal course, IMO. I'd consider other options, especially since you seem to be trying to convince yourself that you want to do that type of job.

[DjRey]

It is going to be extremely more expensive here in the Bay Area in the next three years. You could make the same EMT salary in the Seattle area, and your money will go way farther. You could probably even purchase some property in Washington, on an EMT salary. Just a thought.

[Shankar108]

Thanks everybody, I appreciate the feedback.