Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Visalia, CA: $20.12 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Visalia, CA runs $20.12 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $41,831 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Visalia's regional price level (BEA RPP 99.8, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $20.15 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $25,105 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Visalia, California, the projected median hourly pay for emergency medical technicians is $20.12, which represents a significant gap compared to the national median hourly rate of $22.62. This translates to various earnings scenarios for part-time and per-diem workers, often seen in diverse environments such as ambulance services, hospital emergency departments, and event medical tents. The hourly pay spectrum ranges from $17.95 for entry-level positions to $27.94 for those at the top of the pay scale. These figures, sourced from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, indicate that while the city offers a solid wage for EMTs, it still lags behind the national hourly median, reflecting the unique economic context of Visalia.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.95 | $143.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.42 | $155.34 |
| Median (P50) | $20.12 | $160.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $24.33 | $194.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $27.94 | $223.49 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Visalia
Based on $20.12/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $20.12/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Visalia, CA can expect to earn approximately $41,842 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $24,140. With a cost-of-living index of 99.83 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Visalia.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Visalia
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $804.66 | $3,487 | $41,842 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $482.79 | $2,092 | $25,105 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $321.86 | $1,395 | $16,737 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Visalia) | $20.12 |
| 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 Visalia, CA earn a median of $41,831 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.11% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 13.50% below the California state average of $48,359.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $20.12/hr = $25,105/year (purchasing power: $25,149).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $41,842/year (purchasing power: $41,915).
CoL index: 99.825 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$14.01/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$19.01/hr
2026 Current Est.
$20.12/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Visalia (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $14.01/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.51/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $15.74/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $16.38/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $19.01/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20.12/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.29/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Visalia grew 35.7% from $14.01/hr (2021) to $19.01/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.29/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 Visalia 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 Visalia
For technicians working on a part-time basis, specifically those putting in 24 hours across three days a week, their earnings can tot up to approximately $31,360 annually, a stark contrast to full-time EMTs. The per diem emergency medical technician pay in Visalia varies widely, with some private companies offering rates between $20 to $32 per hour, while specialized roles such as oil-field medics may command rates of $40 to $70 per hour, depending on location and demand. Differences arise depending on the employer, with municipal fire departments typically providing higher wages due to union contracts than private ambulance companies that have historically struggled to keep pace with inflation. Those accepting lower hourly rates in exchange for health insurance and job stability are making practical choices. Negotiation can be key in this field; being knowledgeable about the pay structure across different employers can give both new and experienced technicians significant leverage to boost their earnings in Visalia.
More salary data for Visalia, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Visalia in 2026?
How much do part-time emergency medical technicians make in Visalia?
Are emergency medical technicians in Visalia paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time emergency medical technician make per year in Visalia?
Do emergency medical technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Visalia?
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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 Visalia. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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