Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Hawthorne, CA: $22.97 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Hawthorne, CA runs $22.97 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,793 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Hawthorne's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $20.31 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,671 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) in Hawthorne, California earn a median hourly rate of $22.97, which is slightly higher than the national median of $22.62. This competitive rate can provide substantial income for part-time workers, especially those clocking in three days a week, and makes it viable for per-diem EMTs to engage in diverse settings such as ambulances, fire engine medical bays, hospital emergency departments, or even event medical tents. The hourly wage for these professionals ranges from $16.73 at the entry-level to $31.35 for the most experienced and specialized EMTs. These figures are informed by annual salary data and reflect the importance of hourly compensation in considering a career in emergency medical services in this region.
About the Hawthorne 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) | $16.73 | $133.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.14 | $161.10 |
| Median (P50) | $22.97 | $183.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.43 | $203.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $31.35 | $250.84 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hawthorne
Based on $22.97/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.97/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hawthorne, CA can expect to earn approximately $47,785 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,568. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Hawthorne.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hawthorne
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $918.94 | $3,982 | $47,785 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $551.36 | $2,389 | $28,671 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $367.58 | $1,593 | $19,114 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Hawthorne) | $22.97 |
| 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 Hawthorne, CA earn a median of $47,793 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.56% higher than the national median of $47,058 and 1.20% below the California state average of $48,373.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.97/hr = $28,671/year (purchasing power: $25,350).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,785/year (purchasing power: $42,250).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$17.32/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.71/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.97/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Hawthorne (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $17.32/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.91/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.01/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.09/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.71/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.97/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.31/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Hawthorne grew 25.4% from $17.32/hr (2021) to $21.71/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.31/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 Hawthorne 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 Hawthorne
Looking at the earning potential, a part-time EMT working 24 hours across three days would yield an annual income significantly lower than a full-time counterpart. Per-diem emergency medical technician pay in Hawthorne varies widely; typical private companies may offer $20 to $32 per hour, while specialized roles such as oil-field medics can command rates from $40 to $70 per hour based on location and assignment. Moreover, hourly rates fluctuate depending on the employer type. For example, municipal fire department EMTs, often cross-trained with firefighter duties, typically earn more than those in private ambulance services due to union contracts. EMTs may face a trade-off between higher hourly rates without benefits or a lower hourly rate in positions that offer health insurance. Negotiation skills become critical here; knowing how to leverage the local market rates can make a significant difference in securing favorable working conditions. Understanding the realities of per-diem work and the unique compensation structures prevalent in Hawthorne is essential for anyone navigating a career as an emergency medical technician in CA.
More salary data for Hawthorne, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Hawthorne in 2026?
How much do part-time emergency medical technicians make in Hawthorne?
Are emergency medical technicians in Hawthorne paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time emergency medical technician make per year in Hawthorne?
Do emergency medical technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Hawthorne?
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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 Hawthorne. 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 Hawthorne 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