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verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Salary in California

Median Annual in California
$46,380/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$22.30/hr
▲ 4% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in California

groups Employed in CA
21,880
public U.S. Median
$44,470
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$41,889 #35 of 51

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) pay in California, explained

Emts in California earn a median of $46,380 per year ($22.30 per hour), which is 4% above the national median of $44,470. Entry-level workers earn around $38,740, while the most experienced EMTs reach about $78,150. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within California.

Is $46,380 good pay in California?

Adjusted for California's cost of living (which runs 111% of the U.S. average), that $46,380 is worth about $41,889 in national buying power — ranking California #35 for real pay (vs #16 on the sticker number).

See the full Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) pay by experience in California

Entry level (10th pct)
$38,740
$18.62/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$46,380
$22.30/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$78,150
$37.57/hr

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs CA
California (here) $46,380 $41,889 —
Oregon $49,270 $47,668 −$2,890
Arizona $39,500 $39,234 +$6,880
Nevada $37,560 $37,568 +$8,820

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) in California: FAQ

How much do EMTs make in California?

Emts in California earn a median of $46,380 per year ($22.30 per hour), compared with $44,470 nationally.

Does California pay EMTs well?

At $46,380, California pays 4% above the national median for EMTs. An estimated 21,880 work in the state.

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) salary in other states

Hawaii · $66,410 Alaska · $57,440 New Jersey · $53,610 Washington · $52,690 Rhode Island · $51,290 Connecticut · $50,640 Massachusetts · $50,230 Oregon · $49,270 New York · $48,400 Maryland · $48,100 Minnesota · $48,090 Wyoming · $47,070

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

Related careers in California

Firefighter $85,120/yr median Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) $47,630/yr median Respiratory Therapist $104,820/yr median