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EMT salary in California

Updated October 30, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Published by Humblebee.

$46,380median pay per year in California, or $22.30 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $38,740lowest 10% earn less
  2. $42,61025th percentile
  3. $46,380median
  4. $59,18075th percentile
  5. $78,150top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[2]US median for this job, $44,470[3]

The median pay for EMTs in California was $46,380 a year in May 2025[1]. That was higher than the US median of $44,470[3].

Jobs in CA
21,880[4]
Rank by median pay
16 of 51[5]
Compared with US median
+4.3%[6]

How much do EMTs make in California?

Half of the EMTs in California earned more than $46,380 a year[1]. That works out to $22.30 an hour[1]. The average was higher, at $52,900 a year[7]. Across the US, the median for EMTs was $44,470, so California came out $1,910 (4.3%) higher[3][6]. Against all jobs in the state, EMTs were $11,860 below the all-occupation median of $58,240[8][9].

The lowest-paid 10% of EMTs in California earned less than $38,740 a year, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $78,150[2]. The middle band ran from $42,610 at the 25th percentile to $59,180 at the 75th[2]. California had about 21,880 EMTs in wage and salary jobs[4].

By metro area, Redding had the highest median, at $60,120 a year[10]. Among the metros with the most EMT jobs, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara showed $54,650 and Fresno showed $38,740[11].

OEWS counts wage and salary workers only. Self-employed people are left out, and so are bonuses and the value of benefits like health insurance[12].

California vs US pay

Pay for EMTs in California next to the national figures[1][3].

CAUS
Median per year$46,380[1]$44,470[3]
Median per hour$22.30[1]$21.38[3]
Lowest 10% earn less than$38,740[2]$34,130[13]
Top 10% earn more than$78,150[2]$62,500[13]
Jobs21,880[4]180,510[3]

Pay by metro area in California

Metro areas in California with the most jobs for EMTs, and the median pay in each[11].

Metro areaMedian per yearJobs
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA[11]$45,0906,610
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA$51,4803,580
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA$43,5002,340
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA$43,6201,750
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$49,5501,250
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$54,650830
Fresno, CA$38,740710
Modesto, CA$47,160440

Pay in nearby states

Median pay for EMTs in the states that border California, highest first[14].

StateMedian per yearJobs
Oregon[14]$49,2701,970
Arizona$39,5003,970
Nevada$37,5601,530

Median pay for EMTs in every state

Job outlook and training

Across the US, jobs for EMTs are projected to grow 5.8% from 2025 to 2035[15]. BLS does not publish this projection by state. The typical education for entry is: postsecondary nondegree award[16].

How to become one: steps, training and duties

Frequently asked questions

How much does an EMT make in California?
The median for EMTs in California was $46,380 a year in May 2025, and the average was $52,900[1][7]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $38,740 and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $78,150[2].
How much does an EMT make an hour in California?
The median hourly wage for EMTs in California was $22.30[1]. The 10th percentile was $18.62 an hour and the 90th percentile was $37.57[17][2].
Which city in California pays EMTs the most?
Among the metro areas with a published median, Redding had the highest for EMTs, at $60,120 a year[10]. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara was at $54,650 among the metros with the most EMT jobs[11].
Is California a good state for EMTs?
California had the 16th highest median annual wage for EMTs out of the 50 states and DC with a published median[5]. Its median of $46,380 was $1,910 above the US median[1][6].
What do you need to become an EMT in California?
This is a US figure, not one for California. Across the US, the typical education for EMTs is a postsecondary nondegree award, with no work experience or on-the-job training listed[16].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Emergency Medical Technicians in California was $46,380 per year and $22.30 per hour. Half of these workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Emergency Medical Technicians in California: 10th percentile $38,740, 25th percentile $42,610, 75th percentile $59,180, 90th percentile $78,150. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less, the 90th means 10% earned more. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Emergency Medical Technicians in the US as a whole was $44,470 per year and $21.38 per hour, with about 180,510 jobs nationwide. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 21,880 people worked as Emergency Medical Technicians in California (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: California had the 16th highest median annual wage for Emergency Medical Technicians out of the 50 states and DC with a published median. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. CareerFacts calculation from BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for Emergency Medical Technicians in California ($46,380) was $1,910 (4.3%) higher than the US median ($44,470). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Emergency Medical Technicians in California was $52,900 per year and $25.43 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in California was $58,240. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. CareerFacts calculation from BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for Emergency Medical Technicians in California was $11,860 lower than the median for all occupations in the state ($58,240). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS, May 2025: of the 20 metro areas in or partly in California with a published median for Emergency Medical Technicians, Redding, CA had the highest median annual wage, $60,120. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. Metro areas with the most jobs in this occupation, with median annual wage, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Emergency Medical Technicians in the US: 10th percentile $34,130, 25th percentile $37,960, 75th percentile $50,100, 90th percentile $62,500. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, median annual wage for Emergency Medical Technicians in states that border California (highest first): Oregon $49,270; Arizona $39,500; Nevada $37,560. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS Employment Projections (US, not by state): employment of Emergency Medical Technicians is projected to grow 5.8% nationwide from 2025 to 2035, with about 13,800 openings a year on average. All occupations are projected to grow 3.5%. BLS Employment Projections
  16. BLS Employment Projections (US, not by state), typical path into Emergency Medical Technicians: education needed for entry: Postsecondary nondegree award; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  17. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Emergency Medical Technicians in California: 10th percentile $18.62, 25th percentile $20.49, 75th percentile $28.45, 90th percentile $37.57. BLS OEWS, May 2025

State figures cover only California. Job outlook and entry requirements are national (US) figures: BLS does not publish them by state in our sources. Figures labelled “CareerFacts calculation” are simple differences between the BLS numbers shown.