Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Berkeley, CA: $48,551 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Berkeley, CA earns a median $48,551/year (≈ $23.34/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Berkeley's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $42,927 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, emergency medical technicians in Berkeley, California, can expect a median annual salary of $48,551, which is slightly above the national median of $47,058. The local salary range extends from $37,942 at the 10th percentile to $67,164 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse opportunities within this field. These estimates are adjusted for regional cost of living factors and align with the historical upward trend in EMT compensation. As EMTs consider their career trajectory, reaching the paramedic level can notably enhance their earning potential, resulting in a more competitive salary and expanded responsibilities in emergency care. Understanding the local job market nuances is essential for those entering this profession in Berkeley.
About the Berkeley Market
Salary estimated from California average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,942 | $18.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,892 | $20.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,551 | $23.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54,012 | $25.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $67,164 | $32.29 |
Median Salary Position
3.17% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Berkeley
In Berkeley, CA, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,222 (2026 est.). At $48,551, the local median is 3.17% above the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Berkeley: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Berkeley Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Berkeley median: $48,551/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Berkeley Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $48,358 | +0.40% more |
| National Average | $47,058 | +3.17% more |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Berkeley, CA earn a median of $48,551 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.17% higher than the national median of $47,058 and 0.40% above the California state average of $48,358.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Berkeley has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Berkeley, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $48,551 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $42,927 — a 11.58% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2021 BLS Actual
$36,595
2025 BLS Actual
$45,881
2026 Current Est.
$48,551
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Berkeley (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $36,595 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,844 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,165 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,573 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,881 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,551 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,377 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Berkeley metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $36,595 (2021) to $45,881 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,377 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,782 (40.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Berkeley 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $37,942 – $41,892 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,892 – $48,551 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,551 – $54,012 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $54,012 – $67,164 |
EMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual emergency medical technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Emergency Medical Technician Job Market in Berkeley
In Berkeley, the local employment scene for emergency medical technicians consists of approximately 23 individuals currently in this role, indicating a niche yet vital workforce. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, earnings must be carefully balanced against living expenses to ensure adequate purchasing power. The highest-paying employers in the area typically include municipal fire departments, which often afford their cross-trained firefighter-EMTs significantly higher wages due to union agreements, compared to private ambulance companies where pay remains relatively stagnant. Factors like employer type, shift differentials, overtime opportunities, and the potential for progression from EMT to paramedic all contribute to the salary variances seen within the industry. To maximize pay in this competitive market, aspiring EMTs should explore opportunities with fire departments or pursue additional training to transition into paramedic roles, along with seeking positions that offer overtime and shift differentials.
More salary data for Berkeley, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do emergency medical technicians make in Berkeley, CA in 2026?
Is Berkeley, CA a good place to work as a emergency medical technician?
Can emergency medical technicians make $100K in Berkeley?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted emergency medical technician salary in Berkeley?
How much does a emergency medical technician make per hour in Berkeley?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $45,881 for emergency medical techniciansin the Berkeley metropolitan area. A 5.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Berkeley 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