I work in rural ems in the texas panhandle and I tell yorural there is not just a shortage in rual, but amarillo(AMS) is over 20 paramedics short. They just raised their pay, but still can't get any medics. Were I work is the highest paid rural ems in the panhandle, which is not much. Everbody wants to be a nurse because it pays much more for the same amount of schooling. I belive the shortage should increase the pay of paramedics.