Paramedic Programs in the Houston Area
9 accredited programs train paramedics in the Houston area. Here is how their graduates do on the NREMT exam, how many find jobs, and what each publishes as its cost.
The Short Version
- College of the Mainland reports the highest NREMT exam rate in the area, 100% (2023), against a Texas program median of 87.0%.
- Results vary widely: Galveston College reports 57.0%, 43 points below the area's best.
- Of the 9 programs, 2 publish a total cost, from $3,234 at College of the Mainland to $4,828 at Alvin Community College.
- Paramedics around Houston earn a median of $60,130, 5% above the Texas median of $57,500.
- Galveston College is below CoAEMSP's benchmark or on probation; see its page for details.
These lines are generated from the numbers on this page and change when the data does.
Every Paramedic Program in the Area
Highest NREMT exam rate first. Tap a program for its full outcomes, cost breakdown and sources. 2
| Program | NREMT exam rate | Job placement | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| College of the Mainland Certificate, Texas City | 100% | 100% | $3,234 |
| San Jacinto College AAS or certificate, Pasadena | 100% | 100% | Not published |
| Houston City College, Northeast AAS or certificate, Houston | 96.0% | 86.0% | Not published |
| Lone Star College, Montgomery Not stated, Conroe | 95.8% | 95.9% | Not published |
| Lone Star College, North Harris AAS or certificate, Houston | 93.0% | 100% | Not published |
| Lone Star College, CyFair Not stated, Cypress | 85.7% | 85.7% | Not published |
| Alvin Community College AAS or certificate, Alvin | 81.3% | 81.3% | $4,828 |
| Galveston College AAS or certificate, Galveston | 57.0% | 100% | Not published |
| Wharton County Junior College Certificate, Wharton | Not reported | Not reported | Not published |
Jobs and Pay in the Houston Area
About 1,980 paramedics work in the Houston area. The middle half earn between $53,500 and $66,500 a year; new graduates usually start toward the lower end. Texas expects about 580 openings a year statewide through 2034, from new positions, retirements and people changing jobs, with the number of jobs growing 21.7% (from 8,530 to 10,370).
Other Career Programs in the Houston Area
How to Read These Numbers
Graduates who passed the National Registry (NREMT) paramedic cognitive exam, as the program reports it to CoAEMSP. Some programs report first-attempt results and some report passing within three attempts; each page says which when the program does. Job placement: graduates employed in EMS or a related field, or in the military or further education ("positive placement"), as the program reports it to CoAEMSP. All Texas paramedic programs
Sources and Dates
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Paramedics (29-2043), May 2025 estimates.
- Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (programs accredited by CAAHEP) (CoAEMSP), checked Nov. 2026.
- College of the Mainland: outcomes, Page cites the calendar year 2025 CoAEMSP report but its table is labeled 2023; no graduates in the 2024 reporting year.
- San Jacinto College: outcomes, Program page cites the calendar year 2023 CoAEMSP report; placement figure is for EMS graduates generally.
- Houston City College, Northeast: outcomes, Program page: 28 of 30 started graduated; 27 passed on first attempt and 1 on a later attempt.
- Lone Star College, Montgomery: outcomes, Program page lists 2021 to 2025.
- Lone Star College, North Harris: outcomes, Department page lists 2021 to 2025.
- Lone Star College, CyFair: outcomes, Program page shows 2025 only.
- Alvin Community College: outcomes, Program page cites the calendar year 2025 CoAEMSP report.
- Galveston College: outcomes, Program page lists 2021 to 2025; 2024 overall pass 87%; 2025 shows only a first-time pass rate of 88.9%.
- College of the Mainland EMS program page, Program page, undated (live Nov 5, 2026).
- Alvin College EMS page, Paramedic Certificate tuition and fees, Program page, undated (live Nov 5, 2026).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Texas and metro areas (employment and wage percentiles), May 2025 estimates.
- Texas Workforce Commission, long-term occupational projections, 2024 to 2034.
Every number was checked against its source on Nov. 4, 2026. Spot an error? Report it. Program Outcomes is independent and not affiliated with any school or CoAEMSP. Our independence policy