Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2015-2030)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 7.0 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $4.6bn in 2025.
Trends and Insights
Regulatory and ownership changes impact competition
- The air ambulance industry has undergone a transformation through private equity consolidation and new federal regulations that alter competitive dynamics. According to the Brookings Institution analysis, private equity firms controlled nearly two-thirds of the helicopter and fixed-wing Medicare markets by 2017 through major acquisitions, including KKR's purchase of Air Medical Resource Group and American Securities' $2.5 billion acquisition of Air Methods Corporation. This concentration gave providers significant pricing power.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2025-2030)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Competitive challenges will pressure revenue growth
- Enhanced ground ambulance services and mobile medical units now deliver sophisticated emergency care, intensifying competition for traditional air transport. Advanced ground vehicles with cutting-edge medical technology provide rapid response capabilities that increasingly overlap with helicopter services. Modern mobile clinics integrate telemedicine platforms, portable diagnostic equipment and AI-powered dispatch systems to deliver specialized care directly at accident scenes, reducing dependency on air transport, particularly in accessible areas.
Biggest companies in the Air Ambulance Services in the US
| Company | Market Share (%)
2025 | Revenue ($m)
2025 | Profit ($m)
2025 | Profit Margin (%)
2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Air Methods Corp | 1,107.3 | 180.7 | 16.3 | |
Global Medical Response, Inc. | 487.6 | 7.6 | 1.6 | |
Phi Inc. | 341.2 | 8.3 | 2.4 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 3 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Medical transport using rotary-wing aircraft, Medical transport using fixed-wing aircraft and Mixed rotary-wing and fixed-wing services. Medical transport using rotary-wing aircraft is the largest segment of the Air Ambulance Services in the US.
Trends and Insights
Medical transport using rotary-wing aircraft accounts for a majority of air ambulance services
- Helicopter ambulances, or rotary-wing (RW) aircraft, generate lift through rotor blades that revolve around a mast. Rotary-wing air medical services are used for short-distance transport between the incident site and a hospital.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
This industry provides air transportation and critical care services to patients. These services are often provided during a medical emergency but are not restricted to emergencies. The aircraft are equipped with lifesaving equipment operated by medically trained personnel.
What's included in this industry?
Products and services covered in the Air Ambulance Services industry in the United States include Medical transport using rotary-wing aircraft, Medical transport using fixed-wing aircraft and Mixed rotary-wing and fixed-wing services.Companies
Companies covered in the Air Ambulance Services industry in the United States include Air Methods Corp, Global Medical Response, Inc. and Phi Inc.Purchase this report to view all 3 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
Related terms covered in the Air Ambulance Services industry in the United States include reimbursement rate, rotary winged aircraft and fixed-wing aircraft.Industry Code
NAICS 621910 - Air Ambulance Services in the US
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
The industry has experienced growing demand because of an aging population. As people age, they are more likely to require emergency medical transport, including air ambulanc...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Employees, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Businesses, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Profit, including historical (2015-2025)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Air ambulances are typically classified into two main categories: rotary-wing aircraft and fixed-wing aircraft. A typical emergency air ambulance staff a pilot and a medical ...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2025
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2025
- Major market segmentation in 2025
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
The Southeast has the largest share of air ambulance providers. This is in line with its nation-leading population, which drives provider location choices.
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2025
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each state in 2025
- Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2025
- Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2025
- Number and share of employees in each state in 2025
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
The industry is highly competitive, although large providers dominate the market. These companies typically have contracts to service a particular hospital system, city, or r...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2020-2025
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Air Methods is the industry leader, generating around one-third of all industry revenue. The company has more than 4,500 employees nationwide.
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2021 through 2025
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2025
- Overview of Air Methods Corp's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of Global Medical Response, Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of Phi Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Air Methods Corp, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Global Medical Response, Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Phi Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
The Federal Aviation Administration regulates the operation of all aircraft, including air ambulances. Rules for service providers have also tightened under the voluntary acc...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2015-2030)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2015-2030)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Profit is dependent on reimbursement rates. Government insurance programs reimburse at lower rates than private health insurance.
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Industry Multiples (2018-2023)
- Industry Tax Structure (2018-2023)
- Income Statement (2018-2023)
- Balance Sheet (2018-2023)
- Liquidity Ratios (2018-2023)
- Coverage Ratios (2018-2023)
- Leverage Ratios (2018-2023)
- Operating Ratios (2018-2023)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
- Employees per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- Average Wage (2015-2030)
- Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
- Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2015-2030)
- IVA (2015-2030)
- Establishments (2015-2030)
- Enterprises (2015-2030)
- Employment (2015-2030)
- Exports (2015-2030)
- Imports (2015-2030)
- Wages (2015-2030)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Air Ambulance Services industry in the United States in 2025?
The market size of the Air Ambulance Services industry in the United States is $4.6bn in 2025.
How many businesses are there in the Air Ambulance Services industry in the United States in 2025?
There are 756 businesses in the Air Ambulance Services industry in the United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 8.7 % between 2020 and 2025.
How may import tariffs affect the Air Ambulance Services industry in the United States?
The Air Ambulance Services industry in the United States is unlikely to be materially impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
How may export tariffs affect the Air Ambulance Services industry in the United States?
The Air Ambulance Services industry in the United States is unlikely to be materially impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
Has the Air Ambulance Services industry in the United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Air Ambulance Services industry in the United States has been growing at a CAGR of 7.0 % between 2020 and 2025.
What is the forecast growth of the Air Ambulance Services industry in the United States over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Air Ambulance Services industry in the United States is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Air Ambulance Services industry in the United States?
The biggest companies operating in the Air Ambulance Services industry in the United States are Air Methods Corp, Global Medical Response, Inc. and Phi Inc.
What does the Air Ambulance Services industry in the United States include?
Medical transport using rotary-wing aircraft and Medical transport using fixed-wing aircraft are part of the Air Ambulance Services industry in the United States.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Air Ambulance Services industry in the United States?
The company holding the most market share in the Air Ambulance Services industry in the United States is Air Methods Corp.
How competitive is the Air Ambulance Services industry in the United States?
The level of competition is high and steady in the Air Ambulance Services industry in the United States.
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the US include:
- US Census Bureau
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics
- US International Trade Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
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