Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Compton, CA: $23.04 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Compton, CA runs $23.04 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,908 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Compton's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $20.37 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,750 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Compton, California, the median emergency medical technician hourly pay is projected to be $23.04 in 2026, which is slightly above the national median of $22.62. This competitive rate allows EMTs working part-time, such as in three-day-per-week schedules, to earn a meaningful income while also pursuing other opportunities or education. For instance, working just 24 hours a week would translate to a significant portion of their living expenses, especially within typical environments like ambulance compartments, fire engine medical bays, and event venues. Emergency medical technicians in Compton can expect to see hourly wages ranging from $16.84 at the entry-level (P10) to about $31.48 for those at the top of their pay scale (P90), reflecting a wide disparity often influenced by experience, type of employer, and specific emergency services settings.
About the Compton Market
Salary estimated from California average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.84 | $134.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.25 | $162.03 |
| Median (P50) | $23.04 | $184.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.58 | $204.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $31.48 | $251.85 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Compton
Based on $23.04/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.04/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Compton, CA can expect to earn approximately $47,917 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,644. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Compton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Compton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $921.48 | $3,993 | $47,917 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $552.89 | $2,396 | $28,750 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $368.59 | $1,597 | $19,167 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Compton) | $23.04 |
| Paramedic (National Avg) | $27.18 |
| Nursing Assistant (National Avg) | $18.62 |
| Firefighter (National Avg) | $26.89 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.25 |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Compton, CA earn a median of $47,908 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.81% higher than the national median of $47,058 and 1.00% below the California state average of $48,392.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.04/hr = $28,750/year (purchasing power: $25,420).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,917/year (purchasing power: $42,367).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$17.36/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.77/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.04/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Compton (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $17.36/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.96/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.06/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.16/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.77/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.04/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.38/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Compton grew 25.4% from $17.36/hr (2021) to $21.77/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.38/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem emergency medical technicians can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Compton metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.82% CAGR derived from 5-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Emergency Medical Technician in Compton
When considering part-time work, an emergency medical technician in Compton can expect varying take-home amounts compared to full-time positions. For instance, a part-time EMT working 24 hours may anticipate earning around $28,800 annually, while shifts for per-diem or locum roles can yield more immediate gains, billing approximately $20-$32 per hour—a dynamic that highlights the flexibility of the profession. In specialized settings such as oil-fields or tactical EMS, earnings can escalate dramatically; medics working 14/14 rotations frequently receive $40-$70 per hour, depending on the work's location and demands. Additionally, the type of employer significantly affects compensation. Private companies often lag behind municipal departments, where union wage agreements can lead to more substantial salaries for cross-trained EMTs. Negotiations can prove essential in this context; some EMTs may opt for lower hourly rates with benefits, while others may pursue higher pay without insurance coverage. Being informed about the local market is key for any emergency medical technician navigating the complexities of pay in Compton.
More salary data for Compton, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Compton in 2026?
How much do part-time emergency medical technicians make in Compton?
Are emergency medical technicians in Compton paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time emergency medical technician make per year in Compton?
Do emergency medical technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Compton?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for emergency medical technicians in Compton. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Compton is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.82%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for emergency medical technicians (SOC 29-2042).
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