Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Garden Grove, CA: $23.78 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Garden Grove, CA runs $23.78 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,466 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Garden Grove's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $21.02 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,675 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) in Garden Grove, CA, receive a median hourly wage of $23.78, surpassing the national hourly median which stands at $22.62. This competitive rate can significantly benefit part-time workers, especially those operating on a schedule of three days a week, who can expect to earn a stable income while maintaining work-life balance. Per-diem roles within emergency medical settings—such as ambulance service, fire department medical bays, and hospital emergency departments—present hourly earning opportunities that range from entry-level rates of $17.42 to top earners commanding as much as $33.81. The wide distribution of pay emphasizes the variation in specialization and experience, illustrating the potential for EMTs in Garden Grove to capitalize on diverse job settings such as event medical services and industrial sites, along with the more traditional roles in ambulance and fire service.
About the Garden Grove 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) | $17.42 | $139.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.64 | $157.12 |
| Median (P50) | $23.78 | $190.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $26.99 | $215.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $33.81 | $270.48 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Garden Grove
Based on $23.78/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.78/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Garden Grove, CA can expect to earn approximately $49,458 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,533. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Garden Grove.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Garden Grove
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $951.11 | $4,121 | $49,458 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $570.67 | $2,473 | $29,675 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $380.44 | $1,649 | $19,783 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Garden Grove) | $23.78 |
| 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 Garden Grove, CA earn a median of $49,466 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.12% higher than the national median of $47,058 and 2.30% above the California state average of $48,353.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.78/hr = $29,675/year (purchasing power: $26,238).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,458/year (purchasing power: $43,729).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$17.92/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.47/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.78/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Garden Grove (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $17.92/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.53/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.67/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.14/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.47/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.78/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.16/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Garden Grove grew 25.4% from $17.92/hr (2021) to $22.47/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.16/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 Garden Grove 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 Garden Grove
For EMTs working part-time, their income reflects their flexible schedules, potentially yielding an annual income substantially lower than their full-time counterparts. A part-time EMT working 24 hours a week may earn a notable salary while enjoying flexibility. In contrast, per-diem emergency medical technician pay in Garden Grove can vary depending on job type; private companies may offer $20-$32 per hour for event roles, while oil-field medics often find work at $40-$70 per hour in remote locations. Hourly rates also differ based on the employer type, with municipal fire departments typically providing more stable incomes compared to private ambulance companies, which may lag due to union structures or budgetary constraints. Moreover, many EMTs weigh their options by considering benefits, as accepting lower hourly rates with comprehensive health insurance may be preferable to higher wages that come without additional coverage. Negotiating effectively for pay in this area often requires understanding the local market demand and the unique advantages of different employment types, empowering practitioners to optimize their career paths in emergency medical services.
More salary data for Garden Grove, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Garden Grove. 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 Garden Grove 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