Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Chico, CA: $48,395 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Chico, CA earns a median $48,395/year (≈ $23.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Chico's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $42,790 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, those pursuing an emergency medical technician salary in Chico, CA can expect to earn a median annual income of $48,395, a figure slightly above the national median of $47,058. The local salary range, from $37,723 at the 10th percentile to $69,641 at the 90th percentile, reflects diverse opportunities in the region, including potential positions within industrial settings that often offer a premium. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, indicate a robust job market for EMTs in the area, especially given the proximity to employment in oil and gas operations — a sector known for higher pay rates for medical personnel.
About the Chico Market
Salary estimated from California average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,723 | $18.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,572 | $19.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,395 | $23.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55,550 | $26.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69,641 | $33.48 |
Median Salary Position
2.84% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chico
In Chico, CA, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,918 (2026 est.). At $48,395, the local median is 2.84% above the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chico: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chico Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Chico median: $48,395/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chico Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $48,346 | +0.10% more |
| National Average | $47,058 | +2.84% more |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Chico, CA earn a median of $48,395 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.84% higher than the national median of $47,058 and 0.10% above the California state average of $48,346.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chico has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chico, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $48,395 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $42,790 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$36,477
2025 BLS Actual
$45,733
2026 Current Est.
$48,395
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Chico (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $36,477 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,722 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,110 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,368 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,733 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,395 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,211 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chico metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $36,477 (2021) to $45,733 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,211 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,734 (40.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chico 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) | $37,723 – $41,572 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,572 – $48,395 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,395 – $55,550 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $55,550 – $69,641 |
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 Chico
With just 20 emergency medical technicians currently employed in Chico, competition for roles can be concentrated. The area's cost-of-living index is at 113.1, highlighting that living expenses are above the national average and can affect overall take-home pay and purchasing power. Common employers range from municipal fire departments, which typically offer more competitive wages due to union negotiations, to private ambulance companies that often pay less. The variance in salaries reflects the employer type, with fire departments generally providing the highest pay followed by industrial medical roles. Shift differentials, overtime, and opportunities for advancement through EMT-to-paramedic pathways can also significantly enhance earnings. For those looking to maximize their emergency medical technician pay in Chico, aligning with unionized positions or pursuing relevant certifications can enhance both job prospects and salary potential.
More salary data for Chico, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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 $45,733 for emergency medical techniciansin the Chico 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 Chico 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