General Discussion

Krytan11c

(271 posts)

28. Willing is a funny way of putting it

Mon Aug 3, 2015, 01:36 AM

Aug 2015

I'm willing to work as a paramedic for free, but I NEED an income. So I choose to work at a hospital where the wages are about 4/hr more than an an ambulance.
Go to a testing event for a larger fire dept. sometime. The reason there are literally thousands of people applying for a dozen jobs isn't just about prestige. It's usually the only EMS gig that can pay your rent and feed your family.
Us EMS workers love our career, but the turnover is high because of high stress, long shifts, and low pay.

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Paramedic Who Makes $15/hr. Destroys Every Complaint About Fast Food Workers Earning The Same Amoun [View all] ashling Aug 2015 OP

I am horrified that paramedics only make $15hr. Starry Messenger Aug 2015 #1

part of the problem for emts is that it's a volunteer job in many places. unblock Aug 2015 #3

as a med lab tech, I started at $16.39/hr. per diem. no benefits at all and no magical thyme Aug 2015 #5

I recently interviewed for a scientific research job that paid roughly that. GoCubsGo Aug 2015 #15

it's ridiculous. utterly ridiculous. magical thyme Aug 2015 #53

It's also what happens when your country is run by the small-government, anti-science crowd. GoCubsGo Aug 2015 #58

That is amazing especially when you consider how much Maraya1969 Aug 2015 #56

Didn't Moore's capitalism movie say that new airline pilots made miminum wage and worked long hours freshwest Aug 2015 #14

I know several commercial pilots and none of them make that little. 7962 Aug 2015 #18

So Moore's is a false story? Or biased? Pilots once had 'free' military training, but not now: freshwest Aug 2015 #21

My father does taxes for several retired airline pilots. Starry Messenger Aug 2015 #40

Oh, I know those retired guys made a LOT of money, had great benefits, etc. Then this 2-tiered thin freshwest Aug 2015 #51

They are also having touble getting new pilots The Jungle 1 Aug 2015 #64

If they are flying regional awoke_in_2003 Aug 2015 #22

Yes, but thats still a lot higher than minimum wage nt 7962 Aug 2015 #23

A lot of it depends on where they work TexasBushwhacker Aug 2015 #24

Do they charge less for ambulance rides out in Texas? Starry Messenger Aug 2015 #39

The only ambulance bill I've ever gotten TexasBushwhacker Aug 2015 #60

Probably a grand in town, in rural places you only get the hospital bill. freshwest Aug 2015 #66

I hate that sort of schadenfreude daredtowork Aug 2015 #25

+1000 smirkymonkey Aug 2015 #67

Exactly my reaction. And consider how expensive the ambulance ride is... lostnfound Aug 2015 #33

Many of the Folks who are EMT's and other Wellstone ruled Aug 2015 #2

What a low wage--I thought it was higher too.... MADem Aug 2015 #4

K&R Awesome argument! justaddh2o Aug 2015 #6

Everyone should make a living wage. herding cats Aug 2015 #7

People giving you IVs and shots and working defibrillators make $15/hr.? Geez Louise. tclambert Aug 2015 #8

Yeah, if they're lucky. GoCubsGo Aug 2015 #16

Do people here really not understand why the wage is so low dumbcat Aug 2015 #9

Oh do explain it to me Krytan11c Aug 2015 #17

Jesus. I really didn't think anyone would admit dumbcat Aug 2015 #20

Not because they're willing. tazkcmo Aug 2015 #27

Willing is a funny way of putting it Krytan11c Aug 2015 #28

Tenet, not tenant Sanity Claws Aug 2015 #29

Thank you for the correction dumbcat Aug 2015 #34

Sophomoric and Two Dimensional ProfessorGAC Aug 2015 #31

Right back at ya. Jesus. stillwaiting Aug 2015 #32

This message was self-deleted by its author LanternWaste Aug 2015 #35

Uh, no. Cal Carpenter Aug 2015 #36

So why don't those workers dumbcat Aug 2015 #38

Because EMS doesn't work that way Krytan11c Aug 2015 #42

So, it requires dumbcat Aug 2015 #44

Lordy Jeebus Facility Inspector Aug 2015 #46

I'm sorry to shatter your hope, but dumbcat Aug 2015 #48

My "hope" Facility Inspector Aug 2015 #50

Duh, it's "tenet", not "tenant" Divernan Aug 2015 #61

Thank you for your correction dumbcat Aug 2015 #62

Just tone down the arrogance. Divernan Aug 2015 #65

I'll be dismissive to anyone I fucking please dumbcat Aug 2015 #69

Stay Classy! Divernan Aug 2015 #70

Too bad there is not an autocorrect ashling Aug 2015 #71

Living up to your name. Starry Messenger Aug 2015 #41

So you are saying that the workers dumbcat Aug 2015 #43

No, you don't. Starry Messenger Aug 2015 #45

Oh, I totally understand dumbcat Aug 2015 #47

Did you miss the Fight for $15 movement? Starry Messenger Aug 2015 #49

K&R! Omaha Steve Aug 2015 #10

Now I agree that EMTs everywhere should make more than $15 pipoman Aug 2015 #11

I salute Mr. Rushing Jack Rabbit Aug 2015 #12

Kicked and recommended to the Max! Enthusiast Aug 2015 #13

The last thing we should be bamboozled into SheilaT Aug 2015 #19

K&R valerief Aug 2015 #26

Some things to keep in mind here Lee-Lee Aug 2015 #30

Minimum wage demographics melm00se Aug 2015 #37

of course this is from like 15 years ago but I used to hire EMS workers to do paratransit TheKentuckian Aug 2015 #52

10% of Police officer nationwide earn less then $15.88 a hour, EMT less then $9.95 per hour happyslug Aug 2015 #54

No wonder I felt fleeced after those $1000 ambulance rides Astraea Aug 2015 #55

"It's a big club and YOU ain't in it ..." V0ltairesGh0st Aug 2015 #57

Brilliant. smirkymonkey Aug 2015 #68

K&R. Couldn't have said it better myself. ion_theory Aug 2015 #59

HUGE K & R !!! - Thank You !!! WillyT Aug 2015 #63