EMT Salary

Alameda vs Los Angeles: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

Compare emergency medical technician salaries between Alameda, CA and Los Angeles, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Alameda, CA
$46,977
$22.58/hr
Los Angeles, CA
$47,714
$22.94/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAlameda, CALos Angeles, CA
Median Salary$46,977$47,714
Hourly Rate$22.58$22.94
Entry Level (P10)$36,676$41,111
25th Percentile$40,215$42,212
75th Percentile$53,914$54,053
Top Earner (P90)$67,087$72,593
Total Employed126,610
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Alameda ($46,977) and Los Angeles ($47,714) emergency medical technician salaries.AlamedaLos AngelesMedian Salary$46,977$47,714Entry Level (P10)$36,676$41,111Top Earner (P90)$67,087$72,593US Median $47,058

Verdict

Los Angeles, CA offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Alameda.

The salary gap between Alameda and Los Angeles is $737 (1.57%). Los Angeles's median is +1.39% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Alameda spans $30,411,Los Angeles spans $31,482. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced emergency medical technicians.

Alameda
P10 (Entry)$36,676
P25$40,215
Median$46,977
P75$53,914
P90 (Top)$67,087
Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$41,111
P25$42,212
Median$47,714
P75$54,053
P90 (Top)$72,593

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Los Angeles ($42,014 effective) pays 1.15% more than Alameda ($41,536 effective).

Alameda
Nominal: $46,977
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $41,536
Los Angeles
Nominal: $47,714
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $42,014

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Alameda if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Higher median salary ($47,714/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($72,593)
  • Larger job market (6,610 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $42,014)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Alameda grew -27.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 23.2% growth in Los Angeles over the same period.

Alameda, CA

+-27.8%

$61,511 (2024) → $44,393 (2025)

Los Angeles, CA

+23.2%

$36,590 (2021) → $45,090 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Alameda or Los Angeles?

Los Angeles has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $47,714/year, compared to Alameda at $46,977/year — a difference of $737 (1.57%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Alameda and Los Angeles?

Alameda emergency medical technicians earn $22.58/hr while Los Angeles hygienists earn $22.94/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Alameda to Los Angeles as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Alameda and Los Angeles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Alameda = $41,536, Los Angeles = $42,014), job availability (12 vs 6,610 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Alameda vs Los Angeles?

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $36,676 in Alameda and $41,111 in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AP

Written by Aisha Patel, EMT-P

Career Analyst

Aisha has 10 years of experience as an emergency medical technician. She specializes in pre-hospital care and triage. Aisha works primarily in urban emergency services.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Mendoza, EMT-BData verified by Fatima Ali, EMT-I

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.82% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, EMT-P, a licensed emergency medical technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov