Emergency Medical Technician Salary in La Mirada, CA: $48,062 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in La Mirada, CA earns a median $48,062/year (≈ $23.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in La Mirada's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $42,495 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In La Mirada, California, the projected compensation for emergency medical technicians in 2026 is notably competitive, with a median annual salary of $48,062. The salary range spans from $38,107 at the lower end (P10) to $64,258 at the higher spectrum (P90). These figures, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026 and adjusted for local cost of living considerations, reflect the area's unique economic environment. While La Mirada may not have the extensive oil-field opportunities found in nearby regions, it still presents solid employment prospects due to the variety of healthcare and emergency services operating in the vicinity.
About the La Mirada Market
Salary estimated from California average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,107 | $18.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,386 | $19.89 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,062 | $23.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53,913 | $25.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64,258 | $30.89 |
Median Salary Position
2.13% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in La Mirada
In La Mirada, CA, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,151 (2026 est.). At $48,062, the local median is 2.13% above the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in La Mirada: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How La Mirada Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
La Mirada median: $48,062/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | La Mirada Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $48,353 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | +2.13% more |
Emergency Medical Technicians in La Mirada, CA earn a median of $48,062 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.13% higher than the national median of $47,058 and 0.60% below the California state average of $48,353.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
La Mirada has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
La Mirada, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $48,062 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $42,495 — 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
$36,227
2025 BLS Actual
$45,419
2026 Current Est.
$48,062
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in La Mirada (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $36,227 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,463 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,761 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,932 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,419 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,062 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,860 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the La Mirada metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $36,227 (2021) to $45,419 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,860 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,633 (40.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the La Mirada 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) | $38,107 – $41,386 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,386 – $48,062 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,062 – $53,913 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $53,913 – $64,258 |
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 La Mirada
With only 10 emergency medical technicians currently employed in La Mirada, the job market offers a relatively small pool of opportunities, which can impact competition and wage negotiation leverage. A cost-of-living index of 113.1 suggests that while pay may be above the national average, housing and living expenses are also higher, affecting overall purchasing power. Among local employers, municipal fire departments typically offer more competitive salaries compared to private ambulance services, where wages have stagnated. The disparity between compensation structures largely derives from unionized fire contracts, which tend to favor cross-trained firefighter-EMTs, as well as additional overtime and shift differential pay. Aspiring EMTs should consider pursuing the EMT-to-paramedic bridge pathway to enhance their qualifications and earning potential in this market, ensuring they remain competitive and can access higher-paying roles throughout the region.
More salary data for La Mirada, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do emergency medical technicians make in La Mirada, CA in 2026?
Is La Mirada, CA a good place to work as a emergency medical technician?
Can emergency medical technicians make $100K in La Mirada?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted emergency medical technician salary in La Mirada?
How much does a emergency medical technician make per hour in La Mirada?
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 $45,419 for emergency medical techniciansin the La Mirada 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 La Mirada 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