EMT Salary in California (2026)
$22.30 per hour · take-home ≈ $38,449/year ($3,204/month) for a single filer
California ranks 16th of 51 states for EMT pay, with a median about 6% above the national average. Of the 21,880 EMT jobs BLS counts in California, the typical worker earns $46,380 a year — though pay ranges from $38,740 for newcomers to $78,150 at the top.
EMT pay range in California
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $38,740 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $42,610 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $46,380 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $59,180 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $78,150 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 21,880 EMT jobs in California (occupation code 29-2042, “Emergency Medical Technicians”).
Gross vs. take-home in California
A median EMT salary of $46,380 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus California state income tax, a single filer keeps about $38,449 — an effective tax rate of 17.1%.
| Gross (median) | $46,380 |
| Federal income tax | −$3,386 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$3,548 |
| California state income tax | −$998 |
| Take-home (annual) | $38,449 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $3,204 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free California paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a EMT make in California?
- The median EMT salary in California is $46,380 per year ($22.30 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $42,610 and $59,180.
- What is the take-home pay for a EMT in California?
- On the median salary of $46,380, a single filer in California takes home about $38,449 per year ($3,204 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 17.1%.
- How many EMT jobs are there in California?
- BLS counts 21,880 EMT jobs in California in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for EMTs
Other salaries in California
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified California state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for California.