EMT Salary

Newport Beach vs San Francisco: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

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

Newport Beach, CA
$47,317
$22.75/hr
San Francisco, CA
$54,476
$26.19/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNewport Beach, CASan Francisco, CA
Median Salary$47,317$54,476
Hourly Rate$22.75$26.19
Entry Level (P10)$37,481$48,804
25th Percentile$40,911$49,079
75th Percentile$53,601$75,989
Top Earner (P90)$66,642$92,794
Total Employed123,580
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Newport Beach ($47,317) and San Francisco ($54,476) emergency medical technician salaries.Newport BeachSan FranciscoMedian Salary$47,317$54,476Entry Level (P10)$37,481$48,804Top Earner (P90)$66,642$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 Newport Beach.

The salary gap between Newport Beach and San Francisco is $7,159 (15.13%). 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 Newport Beach spans $29,161,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.

Newport Beach
P10 (Entry)$37,481
P25$40,911
Median$47,317
P75$53,601
P90 (Top)$66,642
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 12.63% more than Newport Beach ($41,836 effective).

Newport Beach
Nominal: $47,317
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $41,836
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 Newport Beach 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 Newport Beach grew -27.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 20.2% growth in San Francisco over the same period.

Newport Beach, CA

+-27.8%

$61,958 (2024) → $44,715 (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: Newport Beach or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $54,476/year, compared to Newport Beach at $47,317/year — a difference of $7,159 (15.13%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Newport Beach and San Francisco?

Newport Beach emergency medical technicians earn $22.75/hr while San Francisco hygienists earn $26.19/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Newport Beach and San Francisco. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Newport Beach = $41,836, San Francisco = $47,119), job availability (12 vs 3,580 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $37,481 in Newport Beach 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