how much do emts make in california
Sarah Parker
Updated on June 20, 2026
While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $38,340 and as low as $22,120, the majority of EMT salaries currently range between $26,543 (25th percentile) to $31,950 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $34,900 annually in California.
How much does a basic EMT make in California?
The average salary for a emt-basic is $19.98 per hour in California. 120 salaries reported, updated at May 7, 2022.
What do EMTs make an hour in California?
Data source tooltip for average base salary. The average salary for a emergency medical technician is $19.91 per hour in California. 3.8k salaries reported, updated at April 28, 2022.
How long is EMT school?
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) students complete a course that is a minimum of 170 hours in length. EMTs are educated in assessing a patient and determining if any life threatening injuries or illnesses may be present.
Why do EMT make so little?
There are other reasons EMS pay is so low. Certification is minimal — it only takes 120 to 150 hours of training to become an EMT (paramedics require significantly more). Ambulances in rural communities are often staffed by volunteers, which depresses wages for those who do pursue the role as a career.
Is EMT a good job?
Becoming an EMT or paramedic is a great career choice. Demand for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) professionals is multiplying. The pay is relatively high for the amount of education required, and you get the satisfaction of helping others daily.
How long does it take to be an EMT in California?
California EMT programs are at least 160 hours and include at least 136 hours of didactic training and at least 24 hours of clinical training. The individual must have 10 patient contacts. An EMT who continues training at the AEMT level must meet additional prerequisites.
Is a paramedic the same as an EMT?
The basic difference between EMTs and paramedics lies in their level of education and the kind of procedures they are allowed to perform. While EMTs can administer CPR, glucose, and oxygen, paramedics can perform more complex procedures such as inserting IV lines, administering drugs, and applying pacemakers.
How much do nurses make?
How much do nurses make? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average pay for nurses in 2020 was $75,330 per year.
How do I become an EMT in California?
To become an EMT in the State of California, you will need to successfully complete an approved EMT training program. After you have completed your training, you must pass the National Registry (NREMT) cognitive and psychomotor examinations and apply for certification.
How much do Emts make in LA County?
Salary Ranges for Emts in Los Angeles, CA
The salaries of Emts in Los Angeles, CA range from $10,133 to $136,160 , with a median salary of $33,310 . The middle 57% of Emts makes between $33,323 and $67,467, with the top 86% making $136,160.
Do paramedics get paid well?
The national average annual wage of paramedics is $38,830, according to the BLS, over $10,000 less than average annual salary for all occupations, $51,960. That’s a disappointingly low number for the heavy responsibility and demands of working as a paramedic.
How much do cops get paid in California?
How much does a Police Officer make in California? The average Police Officer salary in California is $67,500 as of April 26, 2022, but the range typically falls between $63,100 and $73,500.
What state pays EMTs less?
The lowest-paid EMTs are in North Carolina, where the average pay is $11.57 an hour or $25,072 annually.
Is it hard to become an EMT?
Is It Hard To Become An EMT? It really depends on the individual, but it’s fair to say that for the majority of people, qualifying to EMT basic level is not especially challenging as long as you work hard and study as required. It’s a short course that is split between practical and theoretical work.
How long does it take to become a paramedic in California?
A California paramedic program will be at least 1,090 hours. EMT-level instruction is not credited toward this total; nor are hours spent assessing readiness for paramedic training. At least 450 hours will be spent in the combined areas of didactic instruction and skills laboratory.
Are paramedics doctors?
A paramedic is a medical professional who specializes in emergency treatment. They are not doctors, nurses, or physician’s assistants.