Los Angeles vs Santa Cruz: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)
Compare emergency medical technician salaries between Los Angeles, CA and Santa Cruz, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Santa Cruz, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $47,714 | $54,995▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $22.94 | $26.43▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,111 | $42,328▲ |
| 25th Percentile | $42,212 | $48,317▲ |
| 75th Percentile | $54,053 | $67,333▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $72,593 | $107,048▲ |
| Total Employed | 6,610▲ | 70 |
Verdict
Santa Cruz, CA offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Los Angeles.
The salary gap between Los Angeles and Santa Cruz is $7,281 (15.26%). Santa Cruz's median is +16.87% compared to the US national median of $47,058.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Los Angeles spans $31,482,Santa Cruz spans $64,720. Santa Cruz has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced emergency medical technicians.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Santa Cruz ($50,043 effective) pays 19.11% more than Los Angeles ($42,014 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Los Angeles if…
- ✓Larger job market (6,610 employed)
- ✓You prefer the California area and lifestyle
Choose Santa Cruz if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($54,995/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($107,048)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $50,043)
- ✓You prefer the California area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Los Angeles grew 23.2% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 47.6% growth in Santa Cruz over the same period.
Los Angeles, CA
$36,590 (2021) → $45,090 (2025)
Santa Cruz, CA
$35,220 (2021) → $51,970 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Los Angeles, CA
Santa Cruz, CA
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Los Angeles or Santa Cruz?
What is the hourly rate difference between Los Angeles and Santa Cruz?
Should I relocate from Los Angeles to Santa Cruz as a emergency medical technician?
What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Los Angeles vs Santa Cruz?
Related Comparisons
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.
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