Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Brea, CA: $45,893 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Brea, CA earns a median $45,893/year (≈ $22.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Brea's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $40,577 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Emergency medical technicians in Brea, California, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $45,893 in 2026, reflecting a slight decrease of approximately 2.48% compared to the national median of $47,058. The salary range for EMTs in the area spans from $36,672 at the 10th percentile to $63,316 at the 90th percentile, indicating considerable variation based on experience, employer type, and additional responsibilities. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and adjusted for local price levels, demonstrate the financial landscape that emergency medical technicians can expect in their roles. With an increasing focus on professional development, many EMTs are considering the bridge to paramedic certification, which can significantly enhance their earning potential and expand their career opportunities within the field.
About the Brea Market
Salary estimated from California average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,672 | $17.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,729 | $19.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $45,893 | $22.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51,684 | $24.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63,316 | $30.44 |
Median Salary Position
2.48% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brea
In Brea, CA, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,644 (2026 est.). At $45,893, the local median is 2.48% below the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brea: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brea Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Brea median: $45,893/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brea Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $48,359 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | -2.48% less |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Brea, CA earn a median of $45,893 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.48% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 5.10% below the California state average of $48,359.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brea has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brea, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $45,893 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $40,577 — 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
$34,592
2025 BLS Actual
$43,369
2026 Current Est.
$45,893
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Brea (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $34,592 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,772 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,966 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,092 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,369 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,893 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,564 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brea metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $34,592 (2021) to $43,369 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,564 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,972 (40.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brea 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) | $36,672 – $39,729 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,729 – $45,893 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $45,893 – $51,684 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $51,684 – $63,316 |
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 Brea
In Brea, the job market for emergency medical technicians remains relatively stable, with only 10 EMT positions currently filled in the area. The cost of living index stands at 113.1, indicating that expenses are slightly above the national average, which can impact the actual purchasing power of salaries. Among local employers, private ambulance companies generally offer lower wages compared to municipal fire departments, where cross-trained firefighter-EMTs often enjoy union-negotiated benefits and higher pay scales. This disparity illustrates the potential for lucrative shifts in emergency medical services, particularly when considering overtime and specialized roles. For those determined to maximize their compensation, pursuing shifts with fire departments or seeking employment in higher-paying sectors like industrial medical services or event medical services may provide significant financial benefits.
More salary data for Brea, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do emergency medical technicians make in Brea, CA in 2026?
Is Brea, CA a good place to work as a emergency medical technician?
Can emergency medical technicians make $100K in Brea?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted emergency medical technician salary in Brea?
How much does a emergency medical technician make per hour in Brea?
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 $43,369 for emergency medical techniciansin the Brea 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 Brea 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