Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in San Buenaventura, CA: $23.48 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in San Buenaventura, CA runs $23.48 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,852 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against San Buenaventura's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $20.76 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,305 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In San Buenaventura, the emergency medical technician hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $23.48 in 2026, surpassing the national median of $22.62. This competitive hourly rate can significantly benefit both part-time and per-diem EMT workers, often found in high-stakes environments like ambulance patient compartments, hospital emergency departments, and event medical tents. Part-time EMTs, working approximately three days a week, enjoy the flexibility that comes with such earnings, while those seeking per-diem roles can expect varying rates, likely within the entry-level range of $18.58 to the higher end of $34.31 for experienced professionals. These estimates, derived from annual salary data, highlight the earning potential for EMTs throughout the region, reflecting both the entry-level opportunities and the rewards of extensive experience in the field.
About the San Buenaventura 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) | $18.58 | $148.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.43 | $163.47 |
| Median (P50) | $23.48 | $187.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.21 | $217.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.31 | $274.45 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Buenaventura
Based on $23.48/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.48/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Buenaventura, CA can expect to earn approximately $48,841 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,178. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Buenaventura.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Buenaventura
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $939.26 | $4,070 | $48,841 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $563.55 | $2,442 | $29,305 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $375.70 | $1,628 | $19,537 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (San Buenaventura) | $23.48 |
| 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 San Buenaventura, CA earn a median of $48,852 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.81% higher than the national median of $47,058 and 1.00% above the California state average of $48,368.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.48/hr = $29,305/year (purchasing power: $25,911).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,841/year (purchasing power: $43,184).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$17.70/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.19/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.48/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in San Buenaventura (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $17.70/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.30/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.43/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.75/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.19/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.48/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.85/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in San Buenaventura grew 25.4% from $17.70/hr (2021) to $22.19/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.85/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 San Buenaventura 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 San Buenaventura
Analyzing the earning potential for a part-time emergency medical technician in San Buenaventura reveals interesting insights. A typical 3-day work week, equating to about 24 hours, brings home a gross income of approximately $2,882 annually as compared to what full-time EMTs might expect. Per-diem roles offer a variable reality; these EMTs frequently bill between $20 and $32 per hour when working with private companies, while those in industrial settings such as oil-fields may command substantially higher rates, from $40 to $70 per hour depending on their assignment's remoteness. Moreover, hourly wages can vary significantly depending on the employer type—municipal fire departments often provide higher wages than private ambulance services. While some EMTs choose jobs with lower pay for benefits like health insurance, others pursue better hourly rates without benefits. Negotiating effectively in San Buenaventura's market, especially considering the diverse pay scale among employers, becomes essential for EMTs aiming to maximize their compensation.
More salary data for San Buenaventura, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in San Buenaventura in 2026?
How much do part-time emergency medical technicians make in San Buenaventura?
Are emergency medical technicians in San Buenaventura paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time emergency medical technician make per year in San Buenaventura?
Do emergency medical technicians earn more per hour working part-time in San Buenaventura?
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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 San Buenaventura. 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 San Buenaventura 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