EMT Salary

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

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

Anaheim, CA
$48,564
$23.34/hr
Los Angeles, CA
$47,714
$22.94/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAnaheim, CALos Angeles, CA
Median Salary$48,564$47,714
Hourly Rate$23.34$22.94
Entry Level (P10)$35,086$41,111
25th Percentile$39,821$42,212
75th Percentile$56,267$54,053
Top Earner (P90)$71,442$72,593
Total Employed516,610
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Anaheim ($48,564) and Los Angeles ($47,714) emergency medical technician salaries.AnaheimLos AngelesMedian Salary$48,564$47,714Entry Level (P10)$35,086$41,111Top Earner (P90)$71,442$72,593US Median $47,058

Verdict

Anaheim and Los Angeles are closely matched on overall emergency medical technician compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Anaheim and Los Angeles is $850 (1.78%). Anaheim's median is +3.20% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Anaheim spans $36,356,Los Angeles spans $31,482. Anaheim has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Anaheim
P10 (Entry)$35,086
P25$39,821
Median$48,564
P75$56,267
P90 (Top)$71,442
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, Anaheim ($42,939 effective) pays 2.20% more than Los Angeles ($42,014 effective).

Anaheim
Nominal: $48,564
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $42,939
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 Anaheim if…

  • Higher median salary ($48,564/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $42,939)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($72,593)
  • Larger job market (6,610 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Anaheim grew -32.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 23.2% growth in Los Angeles over the same period.

Anaheim, CA

+-32.2%

$67,687 (2024) → $45,893 (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: Anaheim or Los Angeles?

Anaheim has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $48,564/year, compared to Los Angeles at $47,714/year — a difference of $850 (1.78%).

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

Anaheim emergency medical technicians earn $23.34/hr while Los Angeles hygienists earn $22.94/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Anaheim and Los Angeles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Anaheim = $42,939, Los Angeles = $42,014), job availability (51 vs 6,610 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $35,086 in Anaheim 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