EMT Salary

Riverside vs Victorville: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

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

Riverside, CA
$46,032
$22.14/hr
Victorville, CA
$47,637
$22.90/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRiverside, CAVictorville, CA
Median Salary$46,032$47,637
Hourly Rate$22.14$22.90
Entry Level (P10)$39,259$36,020
25th Percentile$39,947$39,011
75th Percentile$52,349$53,821
Top Earner (P90)$65,439$67,042
Total Employed2,34030
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Riverside ($46,032) and Victorville ($47,637) emergency medical technician salaries.RiversideVictorvilleMedian Salary$46,032$47,637Entry Level (P10)$39,259$36,020Top Earner (P90)$65,439$67,042US Median $47,058

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Riverside and Victorville is $1,605 (3.49%). Victorville's median is +1.23% 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,Victorville spans $31,022. Victorville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced emergency medical technicians.

Riverside
P10 (Entry)$39,259
P25$39,947
Median$46,032
P75$52,349
P90 (Top)$65,439
Victorville
P10 (Entry)$36,020
P25$39,011
Median$47,637
P75$53,821
P90 (Top)$67,042

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Riverside ($43,246 effective) pays 2.68% more than Victorville ($42,119 effective).

Riverside
Nominal: $46,032
CoL Index: 106.442
Adjusted: $43,246
Victorville
Nominal: $47,637
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $42,119

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 Victorville if…

  • Higher median salary ($47,637/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($67,042)
  • 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 Victorville over the same period.

Riverside, CA

+20.1%

$36,220 (2021) → $43,500 (2025)

Victorville, CA

+-27.8%

$62,375 (2024) → $45,017 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Victorville has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $47,637/year, compared to Riverside at $46,032/year — a difference of $1,605 (3.49%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Riverside and Victorville?

Riverside emergency medical technicians earn $22.14/hr while Victorville hygienists earn $22.90/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Riverside and Victorville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Riverside = $43,246, Victorville = $42,119), job availability (2,340 vs 30 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $39,259 in Riverside and $36,020 in Victorville. 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