Emergency Medical Technicians Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $45,530 +10.1% vs national
Median hourly $21.89
10th percentile $37,950
90th percentile $97,520
Employed locally 110
National median $41,340

Compare Emergency Medical Technicians salary & buying power

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

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Emergency Medical Technicians
in
Santa Cruz, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $37,950
    25th
    $40,500
    50th (median)
    $45,530
    75th
    $52,560
    90th
    $97,520

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Emergency Medical Technicians salary vs area income 42% Median Emergency Medical Technicians salary is 58% 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 Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $178,900
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $79,580
    Pharmacy Technicians $49,420
    Physicians, All Other $305,610
    Nurse Practitioners $159,090
    Dental Hygienists $127,120

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Emergency Medical Technicians make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Emergency Medical Technicians in Santa Cruz, CA is $21.89, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $48.63 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Emergency Medical Technicians salaries?

    The median Emergency Medical Technicians salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 10.1% above 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 Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Emergency Medical Technicians (10th percentile) earn around $37,950 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $40,500.