‘People are leaving’: New York City’s EMS workers are struggling to make ends meet

EMS workers in New York City, who make critical life-or-death decisions during emergencies, are facing significant financial challenges as they remain the lowest-paid first responders in the city. Oren Barzilay, the recently retired president of FDNY EMS Local 2507, has begun advising young New Yorkers against pursuing a career in EMS, stating, "Don’t come here. You are only going to hurt yourself."

Barzilay's perspective stems from his own experience after 31 years in the field, where he now earns $59,000. This situation highlights a broader issue within the New York City EMS workforce, which has been engaged in a prolonged struggle for better wages and pay parity. The challenge is particularly pressing for Mayor Mamdani, who, as a candidate, advocated for organized labor and fair wages but now must navigate the complexities of a constrained municipal budget.

Many EMS workers, like Natasha Villaruel, a paramedic, describe their roles as a passionate calling. Villaruel emphasizes the urgency of her job, stating, "Within 20 seconds, you have to make a life decision" when responding to emergencies. Each year, over 4,500 EMS workers respond to more than 1.9 million medical and fire emergencies across New York City, serving a population of over 8.58 million.

Despite their critical role, EMS workers are among the lowest-paid first responders. An FDNY EMT starts at just $39,386 annually, which is only slightly above the city’s minimum wage. After five years, an EMT can earn around $59,534, while a firefighter with similar experience can make up to $105,146—nearly double the pay.