PITTSBURGH — After more than a year of negotiations, Pittsburgh paramedics and city officials have reached an agreement.
Pittsburgh EMS Chief Amera Gilchrist and Paramedic Union President Jonathan Atkinson shared the details making Pittsburgh paramedics and EMTs the highest paid in the region, Action News 4 reported.
The pay increase is retroactive to January 1.
“In 2024, we’re getting a 6% raise, followed by 2% in 2025, 3% in 2026, and 4% in 2027, “Atkinson said. “By 2027, the highest-paid Pittsburgh paramedic will have a base salary of around $101,000, which is unprecedented in this area.”
The contract introduces part-time EMT positions, pairs EMTs with paramedics in certain situations, provides opportunities for EMTs to advance to paramedic roles while working and offers a higher starting salary for those transitioning to the city from other EMT positions, according to Action News 4.
“We wanted to make sure that our paramedics are paid for what they’re worth for the work that they do every single day,” Gilchrist said. “We also wanted to make sure that EMS administration had the ability to be able to keep our trucks staffed.”
Atkinson and Gilchrist confirmed that the agreement includes a provision stating that if paramedics file a lawsuit to eliminate the residency requirement, the city will not oppose the change, Action News 4 reported.
