Best institutions to study Emergency Care Attendant (EMT Ambulance)
A program that prepares individuals to assist licensed EMTs, under the supervision of a physician, to prepare and transport ill or injured patients, and to operate emergency vehicles and equipment such as life support units.
79 U.S. institutions graduated 4,277 Emergency Care Attendant (EMT Ambulance) students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.0810, a specialization of Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (CIP 51.08), and leads most directly to the Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians occupation (BLS SOC 53-3011).
About Emergency Care Attendant (EMT Ambulance) programs
A program that prepares individuals to assist licensed EMTs, under the supervision of a physician, to prepare and transport ill or injured patients, and to operate emergency vehicles and equipment such as life support units. Includes instruction in first aid and emergency medicine field techniques, patient stabilization and care, medical field communications, equipment operation and maintenance, emergency vehicle operation, and applicable standards and regulations.
See also: 51.0904 - Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic).
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Emergency Care Attendant (EMT Ambulance) program prepares individuals to assist licensed EMTs in providing critical care under the supervision of a physician. Students learn to prepare and transport ill or injured patients while operating emergency vehicles and equipment, such as life support units. This program is ideal for those interested in a rewarding career in emergency medical services and healthcare support.
Core coursework includes first aid and emergency medicine techniques, patient stabilization and care, medical field communications, and emergency vehicle operation. Students also gain knowledge in applicable standards and regulations, ensuring they are well-equipped to handle emergency situations effectively.
Credentials awarded
What Emergency Care Attendant (EMT Ambulance) graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of less than 12 weeks2,509 graduates / yr · 37 institutions59%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year1,677 graduates / yr · 46 institutions39%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years67 graduates / yr · 10 institutions1.6%
- Associate's degree24 graduates / yr · 4 institutions0.6%
Graduates over time
Emergency Care Attendant (EMT Ambulance) completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 2,591 |
| 2013 | 2,937 |
| 2014 | 2,695 |
| 2015 | 2,997 |
| 2016 | 2,605 |
| 2017 | 2,851 |
| 2018 | 3,285 |
| 2019 | 3,515 |
| 2020 | 3,114 |
| 2021 | 3,032 |
| 2022 | 3,369 |
| 2023 | 3,195 |
| 2024 | 3,923 |
| 2025 | 4,277 |
Top 50 institutions for Emergency Care Attendant (EMT Ambulance), ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, INPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 747 | 40% | — | $32,398 |
| 2 | North Seattle College Seattle, WAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of less than 12 weeks | 230 | 33% | — | $48,502 |
| 3 | College of Lake County Grayslake, ILPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 211 | 37% | — | — |
| 4 | Century College White Bear Lake, MNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 161 | 31% | — | $40,253 |
| 5 | Sinclair Community College Dayton, OHPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 159 | 41% | — | $33,709 |
| 6 | Tacoma Community College Tacoma, WAPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 156 | 32% | — | $32,779 |
| 7 | Clark College Vancouver, WAPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 130 | 39% | — | $41,100 |
| 8 | Waubonsee Community College Sugar Grove, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 128 | 39% | — | — |
| 9 | Johnson County Community College Overland Park, KSPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 128 | 31% | — | — |
| 10 | Hutchinson Community College Hutchinson, KSPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 126 | 53% | — | $48,347 |
| 11 | Apollo Career Center Lima, OHPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 119 | 59% | — | $26,023 |
| 12 | City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College Chicago, ILPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 111 | 18% | — | $35,140 |
| 13 | Elgin Community College Elgin, ILPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 107 | 41% | — | $46,319 |
| 14 | Skagit Valley College Mount Vernon, WAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 106 | 36% | — | $43,072 |
| 15 | McHenry County College Crystal Lake, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 102 | 37% | — | — |
| 16 | Parkland College Champaign, ILPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 97 | 32% | — | $36,872 |
| 17 | William Rainey Harper College Palatine, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 89 | 48% | — | $36,111 |
| 18 | Heartland Community College Normal, ILPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 69 | 54% | — | — |
| 19 | Anoka Technical College Anoka, MNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 66 | 66% | — | $41,583 |
| 20 | Barton County Community College Great Bend, KSPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 64 | 33% | — | — |
| 21 | Mt. Diablo Adult Education - Mt. Diablo USD Concord, CAPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 64 | 80% | — | — |
| 22 | Tulsa Technology Center Tulsa, OKPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 63 | 81% | — | $29,723 |
| 23 | Clovis Community College Clovis, NMPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 62 | 34% | — | $41,422 |
| 24 | Inver Hills Community College Inver Grove Heights, MNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 58 | 24% | — | — |
| 25 | Kansas City Kansas Community College Kansas City, KSPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 45 | 42% | — | $42,823 |
| 26 | Bellingham Technical College Bellingham, WAPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 44 | 42% | — | — |
| 27 | Cowley County Community College Arkansas City, KSPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 39 | 45% | — | — |
| 28 | EHOVE Career Center Milan, OHPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 39 | 96% | — | — |
| 29 | Hennepin Technical College Brooklyn Park, MNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 38 | 42% | — | $37,273 |
| 30 | Dorsey College Madison Heights, MIPrivate for-profitAward of less than 12 weeks | 37 | 54% | $25,186 | $24,379 |
| 31 | Auburn Career Center Concord Twp, OHPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 35 | 69% | — | — |
| 32 | Northcentral Technical College Wausau, WIPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 32 | 45% | — | $31,154 |
| 33 | Illinois Central College East Peoria, ILPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 30 | 49% | — | — |
| 34 | Kishwaukee College Malta, ILPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 30 | 45% | — | — |
| 35 | Centralia College Centralia, WAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of less than 12 weeks | 30 | 42% | — | — |
| 36 | Dorsey College - Woodhaven Woodhaven, MIPrivate for-profitAward of less than 12 weeks | 30 | 48% | $23,857 | $24,379 |
| 37 | Prairie State College Chicago Heights, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of less than 12 weeks | 28 | 21% | — | — |
| 38 | Kellogg Community College Battle Creek, MIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 25 | 30% | — | — |
| 39 | Rio Grande Valley College Pharr, TXPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 25 | 72% | $22,742 | $17,989 |
| 40 | John A Logan College Carterville, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 24 | 46% | — | $31,837 |
| 41 | Massachusetts Bay Community College Wellesley Hills, MAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 24 | 17% | — | — |
| 42 | Columbia Basin College Pasco, WAPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 23 | 33% | — | — |
| 43 | Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney, ILPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 22 | 63% | — | — |
| 44 | Pike County Joint Vocational School District Piketon, OHPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 22 | — | — | — |
| 45 | Salina Area Technical College Salina, KSPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 21 | 68% | — | — |
| 46 | Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Branch Community College Ruidoso, NMPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 21 | 29% | — | — |
| 47 | Dorsey College - Grand Rapids Grand Rapids, MIPrivate for-profitAward of less than 12 weeks | 21 | — | — | — |
| 48 | Garden City Community College Garden City, KSPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of less than 12 weeks | 20 | 50% | — | — |
| 49 | Edison State Community College Piqua, OHPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 16 | 38% | — | — |
| 50 | Tulsa Community College Tulsa, OKPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 16 | 28% | — | $45,915 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services field (CIP 51.08) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 19 states & territories
Where Emergency Care Attendant (EMT Ambulance) graduates come from. Each state links to all Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 14 | 1,054 | College of Lake County211 / yr |
| Indiana | 1 | 747 | Ivy Tech Community College747 / yr |
| Washington | 11 | 745 | North Seattle College230 / yr |
| Kansas | 15 | 510 | Johnson County Community College128 / yr |
| Ohio | 7 | 397 | Sinclair Community College159 / yr |
| Minnesota | 8 | 348 | Century College161 / yr |
| Michigan | 5 | 117 | Dorsey College37 / yr |
| Oklahoma | 3 | 86 | Tulsa Technology Center63 / yr |
| New Mexico | 2 | 83 | Clovis Community College62 / yr |
| California | 1 | 64 | Mt. Diablo Adult Education - Mt. Diablo USD64 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 3 | 36 | Massachusetts Bay Community College24 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 1 | 32 | Northcentral Technical College32 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 25 | Rio Grande Valley College25 / yr |
| Arkansas | 1 | 13 | University of Arkansas Hope - Texarkana13 / yr |
| Puerto Rico | 1 | 9 | Universal Technology College of Puerto Rico9 / yr |
| New York | 2 | 3 | Erie Community College2 / yr |
| Missouri | 1 | 3 | Saint Louis Community College3 / yr |
| New Jersey | 1 | 3 | UCNJ Union College of Union County, New Jersey3 / yr |
| South Dakota | 1 | 2 | Western Dakota Technical College2 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 53-3011, Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Emergency Care Attendant program typically pursue careers as ambulance drivers and attendants, with an annual median wage of $34,330. The job outlook indicates a decline of 1.3%, with approximately 1,400 annual openings. A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for entry into this field.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.0810
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Techniciansprimary SOC 53-3011 | $35,450 | -1.3% Decline | ~1,400 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Emergency Care Attendant (EMT Ambulance) programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Remove and replace soiled linens or equipment to maintain sanitary conditions.
- Drive ambulances or assist ambulance drivers in transporting sick, injured, or convalescent persons.
- Report facts concerning accidents or emergencies to hospital personnel or law enforcement officials.
- Place patients on stretchers, and load stretchers into ambulances, usually with assistance from other attendants.
- Accompany and assist emergency medical technicians on calls.
- Replace supplies and disposable items on ambulances.
Tools and technology used
Other Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services specializations
The 13 other 6-digit CIP codes under Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (CIP 51.08).
- Medical/CIP 51.0801
Clinical Assistant 55,276 graduates / yr1,057 institutions - Pharmacy Technician/CIP 51.0805
Assistant 8,060 graduates / yr353 institutions - Physical Therapy AssistantCIP 51.08065,489 graduates / yr360 institutions
- Allied Health and Medical Assisting ServicesCIP 51.08994,386 graduates / yr75 institutions
- Occupational Therapist AssistantCIP 51.08033,204 graduates / yr213 institutions
- Radiologist AssistantCIP 51.0814partial data1,676 graduates / yr9 institutions
- Clinical/CIP 51.0802
Medical Laboratory Assistant 663 graduates / yr34 institutions - Anesthesiologist AssistantCIP 51.0809497 graduates / yr24 institutions
- Speech-Language Pathology AssistantCIP 51.0816304 graduates / yr21 institutions
- Respiratory Therapy Technician/CIP 51.0812
Assistant 258 graduates / yr19 institutions - Pathology/CIP 51.0811
Pathologist Assistant 178 graduates / yr13 institutions - Lactation ConsultantCIP 51.0815partial data47 graduates / yr4 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Chiropractic Technician/
Assistant51.0813
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
See all Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services programs →
Common questions
What is the duration of the program?+
The program offers various awards, with durations ranging from less than 12 weeks to less than 2 academic years.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
Students will develop skills such as critical thinking, active listening, and emergency medical techniques.
What career opportunities are available after graduation?+
Graduates can work as ambulance drivers and attendants, assisting EMTs in emergency situations.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 1.3%, with around 1,400 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Emergency Care Attendant (EMT Ambulance)?+
Emergency Care Attendant (EMT Ambulance) is CIP 51.0810 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (CIP 51.08). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to assist licensed EMTs, under the supervision of a physician, to prepare and transport ill or injured patients, and to operate emergency vehicles and equipment such as life support units. Includes instruction in first aid and emergency medicine field techniques, patient stabilization and care, medical field communications, equipment operation and maintenance, emergency vehicle operation, and applicable standards and regulations.
How many institutions offer Emergency Care Attendant (EMT Ambulance) programs?+
79 U.S. institutions reported Emergency Care Attendant (EMT Ambulance) graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 19 states & territories, awarding 4,277 credentials in the year. That is 5.1% of all Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services graduates.
How much do Emergency Care Attendant (EMT Ambulance) graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians occupation, which Emergency Care Attendant (EMT Ambulance) most directly leads to, pays a median of $35,450 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services field report median earnings of $36,111 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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