How Much Does an EMT Make in California in 2026?

A typical EMT in California earns about $22.30 per hour ($46,380 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That works out to roughly $3,865 a month and $892 a week, calculated from the annual figure.

California pay runs 4% above the national figure of $21.38 an hour ($44,470 a year). That places the state 16th out of 51 states and territories ranked for EMT pay. About 21,880 EMTs work in California, for scale.

Entry-level positions in California typically offer around $18.62 an hour, or about $38,740 a year. Pay for newly certified EMTs tends to move toward the state's typical figure of $46,380 within the first few years on the job. Most of that early movement comes from added shift experience and certification level.

Experienced EMTs in California often earn upwards of $37.57 an hour, and the top 10% of earners make over $78,150 a year. That's a spread of $39,410 from the entry-level figure of $38,740. The gap tends to reflect years on the job, the setting, such as hospital-based versus private ambulance work, and which city an EMT works in.

California's typical EMT pay rose from $36,330 in 2021 to $46,380 in 2025, a gain of $10,050. That's a 28% increase over four years, based on state figures. Most of the rise came between 2022 and 2023, when typical pay jumped from $37,340 to $45,110.

Nationally, typical EMT pay climbed 25% over the last decade. California's rise over its own shorter tracked stretch already exceeds that pace. Pay in California has moved up consistently across the years available, though these figures describe what happened, not a promise for anyone certifying now.

Pay runs highest in the Redding metro area, where typical EMT pay reaches $60,120 a year ($28.90 an hour), about 30% above the state figure of $46,380. These figures cover each city's full metro area. San Jose, Sunnyvale, and Santa Clara follow at $54,650 a year, while Watsonville and Santa Cruz trail slightly at $51,970.

Fresno pays the least among California's metro areas, with typical EMT pay at $38,740 a year ($18.62 an hour), a spread of $21,380 from Redding. Long Beach carries the largest EMT workforce in the state, with 6,610 employed at a typical $45,090 a year. Higher pay in cities like Redding and San Jose usually tracks a higher cost of living in those areas.

California's typical EMT pay outpaces Arizona's $39,500 a year by 15% and Nevada's $37,560 a year by 19%. Oregon runs the other direction, paying about 6% more than California at $49,270 a year. Licensure earned in California can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state, though requirements vary by agency.

California EMTs typically earn $46,380 a year ($22.30 an hour), up from $36,330 in 2021. Pay varies by city and experience, from entry-level figures near $38,740 to over $78,150 for the top 10% of earners. Readers weighing a move or a new certification can check California's EMT licensing and registry page for requirements, and the city pages listed here for local pay figures.