EMT Salary

Bellflower vs Riverside: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

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

Bellflower, CA
$48,084
$23.12/hr
Riverside, CA
$46,032
$22.14/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBellflower, CARiverside, CA
Median Salary$48,084$46,032
Hourly Rate$23.12$22.14
Entry Level (P10)$35,472$39,259
25th Percentile$41,443$39,947
75th Percentile$55,391$52,349
Top Earner (P90)$69,259$65,439
Total Employed112,340
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bellflower ($48,084) and Riverside ($46,032) emergency medical technician salaries.BellflowerRiversideMedian Salary$48,084$46,032Entry Level (P10)$35,472$39,259Top Earner (P90)$69,259$65,439US Median $47,058

Verdict

Bellflower, CA offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Riverside.

The salary gap between Bellflower and Riverside is $2,052 (4.46%). Bellflower's median is +2.18% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bellflower spans $33,787,Riverside spans $26,180. Bellflower has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Bellflower
P10 (Entry)$35,472
P25$41,443
Median$48,084
P75$55,391
P90 (Top)$69,259
Riverside
P10 (Entry)$39,259
P25$39,947
Median$46,032
P75$52,349
P90 (Top)$65,439

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Riverside ($43,246 effective) pays 1.72% more than Bellflower ($42,515 effective).

Bellflower
Nominal: $48,084
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $42,515
Riverside
Nominal: $46,032
CoL Index: 106.442
Adjusted: $43,246

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bellflower if…

  • Higher median salary ($48,084/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($69,259)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Riverside if…

  • Larger job market (2,340 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $43,246)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Bellflower grew -27.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 20.1% growth in Riverside over the same period.

Bellflower, CA

+-27.8%

$62,961 (2024) → $45,439 (2025)

Riverside, CA

+20.1%

$36,220 (2021) → $43,500 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Bellflower or Riverside?

Bellflower has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $48,084/year, compared to Riverside at $46,032/year — a difference of $2,052 (4.46%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bellflower and Riverside?

Bellflower emergency medical technicians earn $23.12/hr while Riverside hygienists earn $22.14/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bellflower to Riverside as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bellflower and Riverside. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bellflower = $42,515, Riverside = $43,246), job availability (11 vs 2,340 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Bellflower vs Riverside?

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $35,472 in Bellflower and $39,259 in Riverside. The Riverside 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