Average Iraq/Afghanistan Paramedic pay rates??

J

jimbob21

Full Registered User
I am applying for a Paramedic role in Afghanistan or Iraq and I have been asked to give a pay rate expectation. I have never worked in either region before and therefore finding out what the normal pay rate range is from someone who has would be much appreciated.

It's working on a ground ambulance as a Paramedic, with no mention at this stage about where exactly in Iraq or Afghanistan the position would be.

Thanks
 
That would worry me mate. To have got the contract the company must have submitted (and im assuming won) a cost proposal inc staff wages to whoever so to ask the prospective employee what he will be willling to work for seems odd.
Ive been on lots of medic/paramedic contracts and ive never had to tell them what i will work for. They tell me then its upto me to say yes or no.

Average based on my last contracts $390.00 to $465.00 a day. there are better and worse rates out there
 
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1. What type of medic role are you waiting on is it PSD gig or a static gig? I can tell you that you shouldnt settle for less then 100,000.00 USD for a static gig. For a PSD gig I wouldnt settle for less then 150,000.00 at a minimum! Just my $0.2!
 
The overall package will have an impact on what you earn, daily rate on average in the Southern Iraq side (Oil & Gas) is about $450 (+/-$50) daily on 8 weeks in 4 weeks out for an ALS provider. It will also depend on employer too, e.g. i was offered a position last week as an ALS Trauma Assistant (? not even sure what that is) in Afghanistan with a package of $106k and 21 days unpaid leave pa.

Regards
 
You should be looking at a minimum of $550 pd. Anything less than that and you're underselling.

If they need a Paramedic, it's because they've identified a specific need for that level of care, so don't get sucked in by the 'it's an easy job with good conditions' shite they come out with. It doesn't matter how easy or good it is, the fact is you're there and giving them your time, so they need to pay for it.

Nor should you get sucked in by the 'this is a long term permanent job' sales line. In this game, a job is only as good as the rotation you're working at the time. You could easily get a call whilst on leave saying that you're no longer required. In fact they'll find someone cheaper whilst you're away.

Be aware, this is a shite business with very little in the way of backup, so get as much out of it as you can as quickly as you can.

Why do I do it? Not too sure anymore.
 
I use this phrase regularly and it is becoming more and more apparent here in Iraq......

'the greatest ignorance is to dismiss something you know nothing about'

a lot of people recruiting here know nothing about the profession, the skill set or the requiments. All they see is a qualification on a peice of paper and say right we need one of them and thats what we are going to pay because ultimatley they will get someone with that 'ticket' for the pay they are offering which then drives down the rate of pay. All about supply and demand.
 
Starlight, though you are right in what your saying and totally concur I'm not aware of any of the PSC's paying that money here in the Pit unless you are on one of the lucrative DoD/DoS Contracts, so it would be fair to suggest to Jimbob21 if you do read this you should not set the bar & expect this DROP (Daily Rate of Pay) but more so in the range of $390-$450....depending on the Employer....

ATB
 
minden1759 said:
Starlight, though you are right in what your saying and totally concur I'm not aware of any of the PSC's paying that money here in the Pit unless you are on one of the lucrative DoD/DoS Contracts, so it would be fair to suggest to Jimbob21 if you do read this you should not set the bar & expect this DROP (Daily Rate of Pay) but more so in the range of $390-$450....depending on the Employer....

ATB
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The last contract i was on was a DOD job and the rate was $390.00 a day. The americans on the job got a payrise, and paid on leave whilst the brits,aussies, SA and kiwis didnt get either. Read the contract then decide.
The DOD/americans will almost always want "EMT" as a standard despite this meaning nothing in europe re levels of training.
 
I know of a few companies who ask you what you want to be paid, and I don't like it. You can end up with people doing the same jo on different pay rates, and it's just the company trying to maximise profit.
 
I just wrote 'Contract dependant' on this section of the form in the end, as there was no specific location or further job details given. If they get back to me I now have a general idea of normal pay rates, so shouldn't get badly short changed.
Cheers
 
minden1759 said:
Starlight, though you are right in what your saying and totally concur I'm not aware of any of the PSC's paying that money here in the Pit unless you are on one of the lucrative DoD/DoS Contracts, so it would be fair to suggest to Jimbob21 if you do read this you should not set the bar & expect this DROP (Daily Rate of Pay) but more so in the range of $390-$450....depending on the Employer....

ATB
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I get just short of that now. If they're asking for a paramedic, then that's roughly what you should be demanding

Let's not confuse this with the MIRA type of TM. If they want a properly qualified Paramedic, then they need to pay.

Of course we all know that they'll go for the minimum they can get away with, hence the clusterfook we're in now.

If you're prepared to eat shite, then you can't complain when that's all you get fed.
 
I believe it all depends on your circumstances. Having worked Afghan, remote site and hospital stuff it's about what works best for you and your family. I get calls from companies and recruitment agencies I've never heard of saying some big company needs a post and I'm suitable. Its $500 per day and can I leave on Tuesday!! What they don't freely mention is the rotation is crap and they can't actual give T&C's or the rough location.
The more reputable companies establish a relationship with you, check your credentials and discuss career aims/ possibilities with you. However the day rates aren't as sexy but its a regular monthly salary. I prefer the latter purely for piece of mind.
Playing devils advocate there are so mnay Walter Mittys's in this game that ruin it for the rest of us. Poorly trained dubious "ENT's" who are little more than war tourists demanding $150 000 per year and are basically the level of hospital porters.
 
Location

Money is a very important factor in choosing a company to work for as a medic. I personally wouldnt take anything less than 100k. The current contract im under is $350 a day but provides almost 2 months of paid Vacation time (with 1k for flights). Im on base, have the freedom to work by myself, and is provided CE courses from the company. The only problem i have now is the contract is ending and im looking for Afghanistan work.


Just do your research of any and all companies you want to work for and APPLY! The worst they can say is no.

Good Luck!
 
In the eyes of HR depts and security companies, Paramedics have been dumbed down so much that we are thought of as just another team member, irrespective of the years of studying, clinical practice, experience and the cost of CDP/Continuing education requirements. Companies think medics grow on trees.

Once a upon a time, the recruitment bar for certain PSD contracts was

  • Qualified paramedic
  • Hostile environment medical experience
  • Ex military
  • CP trained and licensed
  • CP experience
That´s a tall order and certainly worth more than $400 a day (The average rate in the pit), which incidently is what they´re currently paying tier 1 medics (First Responders) who don´t have to spend 2-3 years studying and constantly attend CPD courses.

It´s such a tall order that companies can´t achieve it have started recruiting paramedics directly from civilian ambulance services. Whilst some are great....ex military, CP trained...others have no military or CP training or experience, some have never held a weapon, some have no TCCC training and have no clue about tourniquet use, haemostatics, can´t map read, never used a GPS, never driven an armoured vehicles..tactics??

So, there´s a few things wrong with this state of affairs. Firstly they are willing to accept this low wage and so this sets the bar for the experienced CP / PSD / Remote area Paramedic and secondly, due to budget squeezing, there´s no cash or time to train people on the ground so the medic is....just a medic and teams are often down to 1 CP / PSD operator (i.e The team leader).

Its all well and good having a good paramedic to assist in the after action clear up or a health and safety incident etc but what about the contact? Employing natural tactics and drills (team aswell as individual skills) to keep the rest of the team / clients alive until first aid can be rendered? All well and good saying it won´t happen but teams have been hit in Basra and Baghdad in recent months.

Generally the American companies pay more for their shooter / medics (EMTs or para´s) because they appreciate that they are needed and appreciate the skills set required.

Stay safe

M4MED
 
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Top obs M4MED. Spot on.

And to add my tuppence worth of venom.................

The problem is, that the employing agencies and companies see Paramedics as nothing more than elaborately trained first aiders. It's further compounded by the fact that everyone and their fookin dog thinks that they're one. I've lost count of the amount of mongs with a MIRA or similar (wind yer necks in. I'm not calling everyone with a MIRA a mong), who are telling me that they're as well trained as a paramedic. Afterall, how hard can it be?

And here's the real killer (litterally). Those guys are more employable that the real medics, because they're cheeper and are not in a position professionally to say that something is not best practice and unsafe - so the bosses love'um.

Makes me puke.
 
Weird!

Starlight said:
Top obs M4MED. Spot on.

And to add my tuppence worth of venom.................

The problem is, that the employing agencies and companies see Paramedics as nothing more than elaborately trained first aiders. It's further compounded by the fact that everyone and their fookin dog thinks that they're one. I've lost count of the amount of mongs with a MIRA or similar (wind yer necks in. I'm not calling everyone with a MIRA a mong), who are telling me that they're as well trained as a paramedic. Afterall, how hard can it be?

And here's the real killer (litterally). Those guys are more employable that the real medics, because they're cheeper and are not in a position professionally to say that something is not best practice and unsafe - so the bosses love'um.

Makes me puke.
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Couldn't have put it any better, you must have read my mind!!!! freaky!!!!
 
distantmedic said:
Couldn't have put it any better, you must have read my mind!!!! freaky!!!!
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I am working my first gig as an offshore medic. I come from a Law Enforcement and PSS / Medic Background. I get sick every time a freaking CPR trained "Safety" Man calls him self a medic. I want to toss him overboard and blame "ptsd".
 
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