Emergency Medical Technicians Salary in San Diego, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Median annual salary $40,990 -0.8% vs national
Median hourly $19.71
10th percentile $35,420
90th percentile $61,480
Employed locally 1,540
National median $41,340

Compare Emergency Medical Technicians salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how San Diego, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Emergency Medical Technicians
in
San Diego, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $35,420
    25th
    $38,350
    50th (median)
    $40,990
    75th
    $48,140
    90th
    $61,480

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 2023 • Census ACS
    Emergency Medical Technicians salary vs area income 40% Median Emergency Medical Technicians salary is 60% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Emergency Medical Technicians

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Lexington Park, MD $68,160
    Alaska nonmetropolitan area $64,780
    Urban Honolulu, HI $63,880
    Hawaii $61,310
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $60,560
    Redding, CA $60,120

    Nearby metros — Emergency Medical Technicians salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Redding, CA $60,120
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $58,250
    Salinas, CA $50,080
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $49,930
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $49,710
    Napa, CA $49,340

    Related occupations in San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $133,090
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $77,280
    Physicians, All Other $323,050
    Pharmacy Technicians $49,540
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians $70,240
    Pharmacists $163,860

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Emergency Medical Technicians make per hour in San Diego?

    The median hourly wage for Emergency Medical Technicians in San Diego, CA is $19.71, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $30.73 or more per hour.

    Is San Diego above or below average for Emergency Medical Technicians salaries?

    The median Emergency Medical Technicians salary in San Diego, CA is 0.8% below the national median of $41,340. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Emergency Medical Technicians in San Diego?

    Entry-level Emergency Medical Technicians (10th percentile) earn around $35,420 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $38,350.