Paramedic vs Perfusionist
Measured from each occupation's own live postings: mostly different jobs wearing similar names. Posted pay favors the perfusionist by about $117k at the midpoint.
The short answer
On pay, perfusionists come out ahead by about $117k a year at the midpoint of posted bands: $102k–$257k against $52k–$73k for paramedics. These are advertised figures from postings that state a salary, not estimates.
On skills, they are mostly different jobs that happen to share a name or a hallway. The overlap is thin, which is often exactly why people search this pair. The readiness numbers further down say how far a typical profile on each side already reaches into the other, and which direction is the easier move.
Paramedic
paramedic jobs · paramedic salary · paramedic career guide · careers for paramedics
Perfusionist
perfusionist salary · perfusionist career guide · careers for perfusionists
The overlap, measured
Switching, both directions
Paramedic → Perfusionist
Transition estimate: 12–24 mo.
What perfusionist postings ask for that paramedic profiles usually lack: Perfusion, Scheduling.
Perfusionist → Paramedic
State paramedic license (NREMT); 1–2 yr accredited program
Transition estimate: 2+ yr incl. license.
What paramedic postings ask for that perfusionist profiles usually lack: Emergency Care, Emergency Response, Triage, Vital Signs.
Open paramedic roles
- Supervisory Medical Care Transportation Technician - Paramedic at Veterans Health AdministrationAsheville, North Carolina$75k–$97k4d agoApply
EMT Paramedic at Houston MethodistBaytown, TX3w agoApply
Custody Nurse or Paramedic - PART TIME at MitieChelmsford, Essex$28k3w agoApply- Medical Care Transportation Technician - Paramedic at Veterans Health AdministrationOklahoma City, Oklahoma$50k–$66kJul 17Apply
See the whole board for both
5 open roles across the two.
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Which one do your skills favor?
Run the instrument with your own skills and both numbers recompute for you. Free.
Quick answers
Which pays more, paramedic or perfusionist?
On pay, perfusionists come out ahead by about $117k a year at the midpoint of posted bands: $102k–$257k against $52k–$73k for paramedics. These are advertised figures from postings that state a salary, not estimates. By seniority and country: paramedic salary and perfusionist salary.
Are paramedic and perfusionist the same job?
On skills, they are mostly different jobs that happen to share a name or a hallway. The overlap is thin, which is often exactly why people search this pair. The skills both sets of postings want most are Patient Care, CPR / BLS, Clinical Skills.
Can a paramedic become a perfusionist?
Yes, and the numbers say how far along you already are: a typical paramedic profile covers 29% of what perfusionist postings ask for. Our estimate for the move is 12–24 mo. The instrument lists the exact skills that make up the rest.
Can a perfusionist become a paramedic?
Going the other way, a typical perfusionist profile covers 31% of what paramedic postings ask for. Keep in mind: state paramedic license (nremt); 1–2 yr accredited program. Our estimate for the move is 2+ yr incl. license.
How many paramedic and perfusionist jobs are open right now?
Right now our board has 5 paramedic openings and 0 perfusionist openings, each linking to the original posting. The board refreshes every night, so the counts move with the market. Hiring the most paramedics at the moment: Veterans Health Administration (3), Houston Methodist (1), Mitie (1).
Pay is the posted middle half; readiness is how much of the other role’s skill demand a typical profile covers. Refreshed nightly.