New Jersey has more than 1,700 licensed paramedics, yet Advanced Life Support (ALS) agencies across the state continue to struggle with staffing shortages, excessive overtime, and challenges maintaining adequate coverage.

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The problem isn't simply a lack of qualified paramedics. It's a lack of competitive compensation, benefits, and long-term career incentives needed to attract and retain them.

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Despite the critical role paramedics play in New Jersey's healthcare system, many positions lack the competitive salaries, pension opportunities, retirement benefits, and career advancement pathways available to other public safety and healthcare professionals.

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As a result, experienced paramedics may leave field operations for better-paying opportunities in nursing, other healthcare professions, or public safety careers that offer greater financial security and long-term stability.

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Having more than 1,700 licensed paramedics does not necessarily mean 1,700 are available or willing to work under the employment conditions currently offered.

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We cannot solve a recruitment and retention problem by treating it solely as a workforce supply problem. We must make paramedicine a sustainable, competitive, lifelong career.

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The calculator below illustrates the estimated number of full-time paramedics needed to maintain New Jersey's existing ALS deployment, accounting for different work schedules and time away from duty.

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Our goal is to demonstrate the staffing resources necessary to support the state's ALS system and encourage meaningful conversations about compensation, pensions, benefits, and the long-term sustainability of the paramedic profession.