What Jobs Can I Get with a BLS Certification? Explore Career Opportunities that Need BLS
A Basic Life Support (BLS) certification teaches you how to save a life, and what could be more valuable? That’s why, for lots of professions, it signals to employers that you’re someone who can step up and take action in the most dire circumstances.
Healthcare roles like nursing, EMT work, and medical assisting rely on BLS as a core skill set. But they’re not the only ones. Schools, fitness centers, childcare programs, aviation, public safety agencies, and even corporate workplaces increasingly value team members who can handle emergencies.
What is BLS Certification?
BLS is professional-level training that prepares you to keep someone alive until advanced medical help arrives. This certification is designed to give you the tools to act fast, stay calm, and protect the people in your care via the following skills:
CPR Techniques: You’ll learn how to deliver chest compressions and rescue breaths for adults, children, and infants.
AED Use: BLS certification teaches you how to quickly set up and operate an automated external defibrillator (AED).
Airway Management: You’ll practice techniques such as the head-tilt/chin-lift and jaw-thrust to keep the airway open, and you'll learn to recognize when someone isn’t breathing normally.
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Healthcare Jobs That Need BLS Certification
Registered Nurse (RN)
RNs deliver direct patient care in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care settings, assessing conditions, administering medications, and coordinating treatment plans.
Responsibilities:
- Monitoring vital signs and patient status
- Administering treatments and medications
- Collaborating with physicians and specialists
- Responding to emergency situations
Salary Range: Median annual wage of $93,000
Licensed Practical Nurse
LPNs support physicians and RNs by delivering essential bedside care in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and long-term care environments.
Responsibilities:
- Checking vital signs and observing patient conditions
- Providing basic wound care and medication administration
- Assisting patients with daily activities
- Supporting emergency response when needed
Salary Range: $45,000–$79,000 per year
Medical Assistant
Medical assistants handle a mix of clinical and administrative duties in outpatient or primary care settings. Because they’re often the first team member to recognize when a patient is in distress, BLS certification helps them respond effectively until the clinical team arrives.
Responsibilities:
- Recording vital signs and patient history
- Preparing rooms and assisting with procedures
- Conducting lab tests and diagnostic support
- Managing scheduling and administrative tasks
Salary Range: $33,500–$56,500 per year
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
CNAs provide hands-on support, such as bathing, feeding, and mobility assistance, to patients in hospitals and long-term care facilities.
Responsibilities:
- Assisting patients with daily living activities
- Taking and recording vital signs
- Monitoring changes in patient condition
- Supporting emergency response teams
Salary Range: $39,000 national annual average
Home Health Aide
Home health aides care for patients in private homes, helping them maintain comfort, mobility, and daily routines. Because they often work independently and may be the only person present during an emergency, BLS certification is critical.
Responsibilities:
- Assisting with meals, hygiene, and mobility
- Monitoring patient condition and reporting concerns
- Providing companionship and emotional support
- Handling emergencies until help arrives
Salary Range: $35,000 per year
Physical Therapist & Physical Therapy Assistant
PTs and PTAs guide patients through recovery exercises after injury, surgery, or illness. Since therapy sessions can involve exertion, balance challenges, or cardiovascular strain, BLS training ensures they can help if a patient experiences a medical emergency.
Responsibilities:
- Leading therapeutic exercises and treatments
- Tracking patient progress and safety
- Educating patients and families on proper techniques
- Responding to medical issues during therapy
Salary Range: PTs: $100,000 national average salary
PTAs: $65,500 median annual salary
Respiratory Therapist
Respiratory therapists specialize in treating patients with breathing issues, chronic lung disease, or respiratory failure; therefore, the skills acquired through BLS are foundational to their daily work.
Responsibilities:
- Managing ventilators and oxygen therapy
- Assessing lung function and breathing status
- Supporting code response teams
- Teaching respiratory care techniques
Salary Range: National average of $80,000 per year
Dental Assistant or Dental Hygienist
Dental assistants and hygienists support dentists during procedures and maintain patient safety.
Responsibilities:
- Preparing instruments and assisting during procedures
- Collecting patient information and X-rays
- Maintaining patient comfort and safety
- Responding to unexpected medical issues caused by sedation, airway obstruction, or anxiety
Salary Range: Dental Assistants: $26/hour
Dental Hygienists: $40/hour
Physicians
Physicians diagnose, treat, and manage a wide range of health conditions. Even with advanced training, all doctors maintain BLS certification as the universal standard for recognizing and managing cardiac and respiratory emergencies before advanced care is initiated.
Responsibilities:
- Conducting exams and reviewing medical histories
- Ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests
- Creating and overseeing treatment plans
- Leading emergency interventions
Salary Range: National average of $376,000
Emergency Services and First Responder Job Opportunities
Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs)
EMTs are frontline responders who provide immediate medical care during emergencies. At all levels, BLS certification is the foundation of their work, preparing them to deliver CPR, use AEDs, and stabilize patients before transport.
Salary Range: Average annual pay is $42,400
Paramedic
Paramedics provide advanced pre-hospital care beyond an EMT, performing medical procedures such as medication administration, IV therapy, cardiac monitoring, and advanced airway management. Their entire skill set builds on BLS, progressing into ACLS and PALS certifications as they take on high-stakes responsibilities in life-threatening situations.
Salary Range: Average annual salary of $44,000
Firefighter
Firefighters respond not only to fires but also to medical emergencies, accidents, rescues, and hazardous situations. Because they frequently arrive before ambulance crews, BLS certification ensures they can provide immediate CPR and basic life support while stabilizing individuals in high-risk environments.
Salary Range: $45,000–$65,000 per year, depending on department and region
Police Officer
Police officers are often the first people to arrive at the scene of accidents, crimes, or medical emergencies. Their ability to perform CPR, manage airways, and use an AED can make a critical difference before EMS arrives, which is why many departments require or strongly prefer BLS certification.
Salary Range: $44,000–$70,000 per year, with variations by state and agency
Education and Childcare Job Prospects
Teacher (K-12)
From classroom instruction to supervising recess, field trips, and extracurricular activities, teachers are responsible for student well-being throughout the school day. BLS certification is an increasingly valuable credential as school districts seek educators who can help students who are choking or having an asthma attack, allergic reaction, or other emergency.
Salary Range: The national average salary is $72,000, but it depends largely on the district and state
Childcare Provider or Daycare Worker
Childcare providers supervise infants, toddlers, and young children in daycare centers, preschools, and private homes. Because small children are more prone to choking, allergic reactions, falls, and breathing emergencies, BLS certification is often required.
Salary Range: $43,000 on average per year
School Nurse
School nurses provide healthcare support to students and staff, managing everything from daily medications to chronic conditions and emergencies. They are the medical authority on campus, so a BLS certification is a fundamental requirement.
Salary Range: Average salary of $60,000 per year with certification
Fitness, Recreation, and Sports Jobs
Fitness Instructor or Personal Trainer
Fitness instructors and personal trainers guide clients through exercise programs, teach group classes, and help individuals reach their health goals. Workouts can push clients physically, so having a trainer who can offer aid if someone experiences distress is an obvious plus.
Salary Range: Median annual wage of $46,000 per year, with higher earning potential for private trainers or specialized certifications.
Lifeguard
Lifeguards monitor swimmers at pools, beaches, and waterparks, enforcing safety rules and responding immediately to water-related emergencies. BLS certification is a core requirement because drowning incidents and cardiac emergencies require fast, skilled intervention to prevent fatal outcomes.
Salary Range: $28,000–$40,000 per year, with opportunities for seasonal or supervisory roles to earn more.
Athletic Coach or Sports Trainer
Coaches and sports trainers design training programs, teach proper techniques, and support athletes during practices and competitions. Sports naturally carry a risk of injuries, dehydration, and sudden cardiac events, making BLS an important part of keeping athletes safe on the field.
Salary Range: $19.80/hr, with higher salaries for specialized or collegiate coaching positions.
Additional Industries Where Employers Care About BLS
Flight Attendant
Flight attendants are responsible for passenger safety and comfort during flights, but they also play a crucial role in responding to in-flight medical emergencies. Aircrafts are enclosed environments far from medical facilities, which means someone with BLS skills is sometimes the best chance for stabilizing passengers until the plane can land or medical personnel take over.
Salary Range: Average salary of $67,700
Social Worker
Social workers support individuals and families as they navigate crises, trauma, or challenging life situations. In roles involving home visits, community outreach, or crisis intervention, emergencies can arise unexpectedly. BLS certification helps social workers act during a medical emergency within the community.
Salary Range: Median Annual wage of $61,000
Health Care Administrator
Health care administrators oversee operations in hospitals, clinics, and medical offices. While they do not typically provide direct patient care, BLS certification demonstrates strong leadership and a commitment to patient safety, especially when supervising clinical teams.
Salary Range: $69,000–$219,000 per year
Career Benefits of BLS Certification
Earning your BLS certification instantly strengthens your resume and makes you more competitive across multiple industries. It can open doors to higher-paying roles and advancement opportunities, particularly in healthcare. It also serves as the foundation for more advanced certifications, such as ACLS and PALS, helping you grow professionally.
How Employers View BLS Certification
Employers see BLS certification as a powerful indicator of readiness, professionalism, and accountability. That’s why workplaces involving public interaction or patient care require BLS: it reduces liability by ensuring staff can respond safely during medical emergencies.
When is BLS Required vs. Preferred
BLS certification is a condition of employment in many hospitals, clinics, emergency services, and any position where patient care is part of the job. Other roles, such as teaching, childcare, fitness, social services, and corporate safety positions, may not mandate BLS but strongly prefer it.
Career Advancement with Your BLS Certificate
BLS certification is often the first step toward more advanced opportunities in healthcare and emergency response. Once you’ve mastered the fundamentals, you can progress into higher-level certifications like ACLS, PALS, or specialty training tailored to your field. These advanced credentials open doors to better-paying roles, expanded responsibilities, and leadership positions.
Getting Your BLS Certification
Choose an Accredited Provider
Look for a BLS course from a reputable, accredited training organization that follows current resuscitation guidelines.
Pick the Course Format That Fits Your Schedule
- In-person: Traditional classroom with hands-on practice
- Blended: Online coursework plus an in-person skills check
- Online: Virtual modules and testing designed for busy professionals
Plan for the Cost
Expect to pay up to $100 for a BLS certification course, although some employers may cover or reimburse this cost.
Follow Renewal Requirements
BLS certification is typically valid for two years. After that, you’ll complete a shorter recertification course to refresh your skills and stay current with updated best practices.
Career Opportunities with BLS Certification
Having your BLS certification is a great start, but you need to make sure employers actually see it. Not only do you need to list BLS on your resume, as we’ve discussed, but it should also go in your cover letter. Mention your BLS certification as part of your qualifications, especially if the job involves patient care, supervision, or public safety.
Then, during interviews, be ready to share why you got certified and, if applicable, any real experiences where your training helped you respond confidently to a situation. Employers appreciate candidates who take preparedness seriously. And when searching for openings online, use keywords like “BLS required,” “BLS preferred,” “CPR certified,” or “basic life support” to quickly find roles where your certification is relevant.
Frequently Asked Questions
What healthcare roles require BLS certification?
Many healthcare roles, such as nurses, CNAs, medical assistants, EMTs, and respiratory therapists, require BLS. It’s also common in emergency services, childcare, education, fitness, and public safety.
Can I get a job with just a BLS certification?
Yes. Some entry-level roles, like home health aide, CNA (with state training), or childcare worker, accept applicants with BLS as a key qualification.
How much do BLS certification jobs pay?
Salaries vary widely by profession — from around $30,000 for entry-level care roles to over $200,000 for physicians. BLS often improves earning potential within each field.
Is BLS certification worth it for my career?
Absolutely. It boosts your employability, helps you qualify for more roles, and prepares you to handle emergencies confidently.
What's the difference between BLS and CPR Certification for employment?
CPR is basic lifesaving training for the general public. BLS is a more advanced, professional-level certification required in many healthcare and first responder jobs.
Do employers pay for BLS certification?
Yes, some do, especially hospitals, clinics, and emergency service agencies. It’s worth asking during the hiring process.
How long does BLS certification last?
Most BLS certifications are valid for two years before renewal is required.
Can non-medical professionals get BLS certified?
Yes. Anyone can earn a BLS certification, and many teachers, coaches, fitness trainers, and childcare workers choose to pursue it.
A Rewarding Career Awaits You
A BLS certification can open the door to a wide range of careers from healthcare and emergency services to education, fitness, aviation, social work, and beyond. Whether you’re entering a new field or expanding your skills in your current role, BLS training makes you more confident, more competitive, and more prepared to make a real impact when it matters most.
If you’re ready to take the next step, now is the perfect time to get certified. AMC offers flexible, accredited BLS courses designed for busy professionals who want to build their skills and strengthen their career prospects.