According to an October report by the ride-share company, Uber drivers in New York City who worked an average of 32 hours a week for 50 weeks annually earned approximately $52,900 annually. This figure significantly surpasses the starting annual salary of $39,386 for the city’s first-year emergency medical technicians (EMTs).
Despite undergoing extensive training to perform critical tasks like emergency births, fracture management, and trauma assessments, EMTs must work five years to reach a maximum base salary of $59,534, plus benefits. Union leaders report that low pay has driven many EMTs to seek better-paying jobs elsewhere in the city or private sector. Meanwhile, Uber drivers have seen five pay raises since 2020, the most recent being a 3.49% inflation-adjusted increase in March, as regulated by the Taxi and Limousine Commission.
However, reports suggest that Uber and Lyft have been limiting drivers’ access to the apps since June to reduce costs, reportedly restricting work hours to avoid millions in wages. The October report’s earnings data for Uber drivers reflects income and expenses from the 12-month period ending in April. In contrast, the city’s EMTs have been working without a contract for over two years.
FDNY EMTs and their union, led by Oren Barzilay, are pushing for “pay parity” with other city uniformed services—a promise Mayor Adams made during his 2021 campaign but has yet to fulfill.
“Whether through collective bargaining or administrative action, [EMTs] desperately need a raise,” emphasized City Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Queens), chair of the Fire and Emergency Management Committee.
