Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Madera, CA: $47,245 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Madera, CA earns a median $47,245/year (≈ $22.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Madera's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $41,773 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Madera, California, aspiring emergency medical technicians can expect a median annual salary of $47,245 in 2026, which is slightly above the national median of $47,058. The projected salary range for this role varies significantly, from $37,309 at the 10th percentile to $66,276 at the 90th percentile. These estimates come from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026 and adjusted for regional cost variances. This compensation reflects not only the critical nature of the EMT role but also the investment in advanced training pathways, such as progression to paramedic status, which can substantially enhance earning potential. The job market in Madera is influenced by the presence of local employers, including private ambulance services and municipal fire departments, creating opportunities for those who advance their skills further.
About the Madera Market
Salary estimated from California average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,309 | $17.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,762 | $19.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,245 | $22.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53,506 | $25.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $66,276 | $31.86 |
Median Salary Position
0.40% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Madera
In Madera, CA, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,967 (2026 est.). At $47,245, the local median is 0.4% above the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Madera: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Madera Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Madera median: $47,245/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Madera Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $48,358 | -2.30% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | +0.40% more |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Madera, CA earn a median of $47,245 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.40% higher than the national median of $47,058 and 2.30% below the California state average of $48,358.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Madera has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Madera, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $47,245 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $41,773 — 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
$35,850
2025 BLS Actual
$44,647
2026 Current Est.
$47,245
2021–2027 Growth
+39.5%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Madera (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $35,850 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,210 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,230 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,862 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,647 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,245 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,995 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Madera metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 24.5% from $35,850 (2021) to $44,647 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,995 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,145 (39.46%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Madera 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) | $37,309 – $40,762 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,762 – $47,245 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,245 – $53,506 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $53,506 – $66,276 |
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 Madera
While Madera employs only eight emergency medical technicians, the local job market appears stable, albeit limited in size. The cost of living index stands at 113.1, indicating that living expenses are above the national average, which can impact the overall purchasing power of these salaries. Among various employers, municipal fire departments tend to offer higher pay compared to private ambulance services, where wages have not kept pace with inflation. In this environment, EMTs can maximize their earnings by seeking positions in fire departments, taking overtime shifts, and pursuing the EMT-to-paramedic bridge program. Additionally, those interested in specialized roles, such as industrial medics, might find even more lucrative opportunities, particularly in regions where such services are in demand. Understanding the nuances of employer type and leveraging training paths are essential strategies for maximizing emergency medical technician pay in Madera, CA.
More salary data for Madera, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do emergency medical technicians make in Madera, CA in 2026?
Is Madera, CA a good place to work as a emergency medical technician?
Can emergency medical technicians make $100K in Madera?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted emergency medical technician salary in Madera?
How much does a emergency medical technician make per hour in Madera?
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 $44,647 for emergency medical techniciansin the Madera 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 Madera 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