Riverside vs Santa Monica: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)
Compare emergency medical technician salaries between Riverside, CA and Santa Monica, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Santa Monica, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $46,032 | $48,889▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $22.14 | $23.50▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,259▲ | $37,330 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,947 | $41,260▲ |
| 75th Percentile | $52,349 | $54,409▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $65,439 | $67,049▲ |
| Total Employed | 2,340▲ | 20 |
Verdict
Santa Monica, CA offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Riverside.
The salary gap between Riverside and Santa Monica is $2,857 (6.21%). Santa Monica's median is +3.89% compared to the US national median of $47,058.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Riverside spans $26,180,Santa Monica spans $29,719. Santa Monica 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, Riverside ($43,246 effective) pays 0.05% more than Santa Monica ($43,226 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Riverside if…
- ✓Larger job market (2,340 employed)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $43,246)
- ✓You prefer the California area and lifestyle
Choose Santa Monica if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($48,889/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($67,049)
- ✓You prefer the California area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Riverside grew 20.1% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -27.8% growth in Santa Monica over the same period.
Riverside, CA
$36,220 (2021) → $43,500 (2025)
Santa Monica, CA
$64,014 (2024) → $46,200 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Riverside, CA
Santa Monica, CA
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Riverside or Santa Monica?
What is the hourly rate difference between Riverside and Santa Monica?
Should I relocate from Riverside to Santa Monica as a emergency medical technician?
What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Riverside vs Santa Monica?
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