Can A Paramedic Afford Rent in Washington, DC?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 45.7% of gross income.
Washington rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (District of Columbia state estimate).
About rent and a paramedic salary
Paramedic and EMT base pay sits modestly below the US median household income and is often supplemented by overtime. At the national-average paramedic salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,330 a month in rent.
Compare with full rent data for Washington
View full rent data for Washington, DC →Frequently asked questions
Can a paramedic afford rent in Washington, DC?
Median rent in Washington is $2,532 a month. A typical paramedic in District of Columbia earns about $66,475 a year, which makes that rent 45.7% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a paramedic afford in Washington?
Using the 30% rule, a paramedic salary in District of Columbia (~$66,475/yr) supports up to $1,662 a month in rent. Washington's current median rent is $2,532/mo, which is $870/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a paramedic work to cover rent in Washington?
At an hourly equivalent of about $32 an hour, a paramedic in District of Columbia works roughly 79.2 hours a month to cover Washington's median rent of $2,532.