EMT Salary

Inglewood vs San Francisco: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

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

Inglewood, CA
$49,357
$23.72/hr
San Francisco, CA
$54,476
$26.19/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricInglewood, CASan Francisco, CA
Median Salary$49,357$54,476
Hourly Rate$23.72$26.19
Entry Level (P10)$36,175$48,804
25th Percentile$40,621$49,079
75th Percentile$54,802$75,989
Top Earner (P90)$73,135$92,794
Total Employed213,580
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Inglewood ($49,357) and San Francisco ($54,476) emergency medical technician salaries.InglewoodSan FranciscoMedian Salary$49,357$54,476Entry Level (P10)$36,175$48,804Top Earner (P90)$73,135$92,794US Median $47,058

Verdict

San Francisco, CA offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Inglewood.

The salary gap between Inglewood and San Francisco is $5,119 (10.37%). San Francisco's median is +15.76% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Inglewood spans $36,960,San Francisco spans $43,990. San Francisco has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced emergency medical technicians.

Inglewood
P10 (Entry)$36,175
P25$40,621
Median$49,357
P75$54,802
P90 (Top)$73,135
San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$48,804
P25$49,079
Median$54,476
P75$75,989
P90 (Top)$92,794

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($47,119 effective) pays 7.97% more than Inglewood ($43,640 effective).

Inglewood
Nominal: $49,357
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $43,640
San Francisco
Nominal: $54,476
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $47,119

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Inglewood if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Francisco if…

  • Higher median salary ($54,476/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($92,794)
  • Larger job market (3,580 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,119)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Inglewood grew -27.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 20.2% growth in San Francisco over the same period.

Inglewood, CA

+-27.8%

$64,627 (2024) → $46,642 (2025)

San Francisco, CA

+20.2%

$42,840 (2021) → $51,480 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Inglewood or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $54,476/year, compared to Inglewood at $49,357/year — a difference of $5,119 (10.37%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Inglewood and San Francisco?

Inglewood emergency medical technicians earn $23.72/hr while San Francisco hygienists earn $26.19/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Inglewood to San Francisco as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Inglewood and San Francisco. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Inglewood = $43,640, San Francisco = $47,119), job availability (21 vs 3,580 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Inglewood vs San Francisco?

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $36,175 in Inglewood and $48,804 in San Francisco. The San Francisco 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