Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Lake Forest, CA: $22.84 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Lake Forest, CA runs $22.84 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,490 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Lake Forest's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $20.19 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,499 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Emergency medical technician hourly pay in Lake Forest, CA, reaches a median of $22.84, slightly above the national hourly median of $22.62. This competitive rate allows for reasonable earnings for part-time and per-diem EMTs, who typically work in settings such as ambulance patient compartments, hospital emergency departments, or medical tents at events. For those starting in the field, hourly wages range from $18.13 at the entry level to approximately $32.32 for the most experienced practitioners. The hourly rates are estimations based on annual salary data, highlighting the diverse financial opportunities available within various emergency medical contexts in Lake Forest.
About the Lake Forest 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) | $18.13 | $145.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.34 | $154.75 |
| Median (P50) | $22.84 | $182.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.96 | $207.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $32.32 | $258.54 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lake Forest
Based on $22.84/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.84/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lake Forest, CA can expect to earn approximately $47,499 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,403. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Lake Forest.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lake Forest
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $913.44 | $3,958 | $47,499 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $548.06 | $2,375 | $28,499 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $365.38 | $1,583 | $19,000 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Lake Forest) | $22.84 |
| 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 Lake Forest, CA earn a median of $47,490 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.92% higher than the national median of $47,058 and 1.80% below the California state average of $48,360.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.84/hr = $28,499/year (purchasing power: $25,198).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,499/year (purchasing power: $41,997).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$17.21/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.58/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.84/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Lake Forest (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $17.21/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.80/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.89/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.90/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.58/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.84/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.17/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Lake Forest grew 25.4% from $17.21/hr (2021) to $21.58/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.17/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 Lake Forest 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 Lake Forest
When evaluating part-time emergency medical technician earnings based on a 3-day workweek, individuals working 24 hours can anticipate a significant annual income, but it will be lower than that of full-timers. Per-diem emergency medical technician pay in Lake Forest can vary widely depending on the employer; private companies often see rates between $20-$32 per hour, whereas oil-field medics in 14/14 rotations can command anywhere from $40-$70 due to the demanding nature of the work. Municipal fire departments may offer lower hourly rates but tend to include benefits that add value beyond mere pay rates. This dynamic creates a landscape where EMTs must balance hourly wages with benefits. When negotiating, it is essential for workers in Lake Forest to understand employer types, from private ambulance services to hospital-based EMS, as these differences can significantly impact overall compensation.
More salary data for Lake Forest, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Lake Forest in 2026?
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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 Lake Forest. 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 Lake Forest 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