Paramedics Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

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

Median annual salary $79,110 +35.4% vs national
Median hourly $38.03
10th percentile $63,180
90th percentile $166,550
Employed locally 60
National median $58,410

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Paramedics
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Santa Cruz, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $63,180
    25th
    $66,170
    50th (median)
    $79,110
    75th
    $135,380
    90th
    $166,550

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Paramedics salary vs area income 72% Median Paramedics salary is 28% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Paramedics

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $129,020
    Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $120,870
    Bellingham, WA $108,330
    Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA $105,250
    Walla Walla, WA $102,430
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $101,950

    Nearby metros — Paramedics salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Redding, CA $88,740
    Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $80,870
    Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA $80,590
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $80,150
    Salinas, CA $79,000
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $78,780

    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 Paramedics make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Paramedics in Santa Cruz, CA is $38.03, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $48.38 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Paramedics salaries?

    The median Paramedics salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 35.4% above the national median of $58,410. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Paramedics in Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Paramedics (10th percentile) earn around $63,180 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $66,170.