California ranks 14th of 51 states and D.C. for emergency medical technicians pay, trailing top-paying Hawaii ($61,310) by $15,630 — a 34% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $37,370 to $76,630 — a $39,260 spread, 34% wider than the national $29,370 range.
California employs roughly 10.7% of all emergency medical technicians in the country (19,020 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $37,370 | $17.97 |
| 25th percentile | $40,290 | $19.37 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $45,680 | $21.96 |
| 75th percentile | $58,410 | $28.08 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,630 | $36.84 |
| Mean (average) | $51,830 | $24.92 |
How California Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. California |
|---|---|---|
| California (current) | $45,680 | n/a |
| Hawaii | $61,310 | +34% |
| Alaska | $56,900 | +25% |
| New Jersey | $49,500 | +8% |
| Rhode Island | $49,500 | +8% |
| Washington | $48,850 | +7% |
| Oregon | $48,070 | +5% |
| Connecticut | $47,550 | +4% |
| Maryland | $47,390 | +4% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in California
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $45,680 | 27,320 |
| Data Entry Keyers | $45,680 | 14,040 |
| Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $45,640 | 7,800 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $45,610 | 3,150 |
| Light Truck Drivers | $45,500 | 117,250 |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $45,880 | 49,260 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Emergency Medical Technicians salary in California?
The mean emergency medical technicians salary in California is $51,830 per year. The median (middle) salary is $45,680 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Emergency Medical Technicians in California?
Entry-level emergency medical technicianss (10th percentile) in California typically earn around $37,370 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $40,290 per year.
What is the highest Emergency Medical Technicians salary in California?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in California make approximately $76,630 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $58,410 per year.
How does the California Emergency Medical Technicians salary compare to the national average?
The median emergency medical technicians salary in California is $45,680, which is +10% above national average of $41,340.