Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Redwood City, CA: $47,314 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Redwood City, CA earns a median $47,314/year (≈ $22.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Redwood City's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $41,834 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Redwood City, emergency medical technicians can expect to earn a median annual salary of $47,314 in 2026, slightly above the national average of $47,058. Salary figures in this field range from $37,424 at the bottom 10% to $66,478 for those in the top 90%, indicating a diverse earning potential for EMTs in the area. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic conditions, are significant for those considering a career in emergency medical services. While the local market reflects a solid compensation structure, the presence of high-paying opportunities in oil-field and industrial settings may skew earnings higher compared to traditional emergency roles.
About the Redwood City Market
Salary estimated from California average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,424 | $17.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,868 | $19.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,314 | $22.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53,611 | $25.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $66,478 | $31.96 |
Median Salary Position
0.54% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Redwood City
In Redwood City, CA, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,054 (2026 est.). At $47,314, the local median is 0.54% above the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Redwood City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Redwood City Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Redwood City median: $47,314/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Redwood City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $48,379 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | +0.54% more |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Redwood City, CA earn a median of $47,314 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.54% higher than the national median of $47,058 and 2.20% below the California state average of $48,379.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Redwood City has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Redwood City, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $47,314 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $41,834 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$35,663
2025 BLS Actual
$44,712
2026 Current Est.
$47,314
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Redwood City (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $35,663 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,880 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,142 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,953 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,712 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,314 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,068 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Redwood City metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $35,663 (2021) to $44,712 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,068 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,405 (40.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Redwood City 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) | $37,424 – $39,868 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,868 – $47,314 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,314 – $53,611 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $53,611 – $66,478 |
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 Redwood City
The job market for emergency medical technicians in Redwood City consists of a relatively small workforce, with only 13 professionals employed in this role. This limited number suggests a competitive environment, coupled with a cost-of-living index of 113.1, indicating that living expenses are above the national average. As a result, take-home purchasing power is crucial for those entering this field. Employers offering the best compensation include municipal fire departments and industrial medical services, which typically provide higher wages compared to private ambulance companies. The disparity in pay stems from various factors such as shift differentials, potential overtime, and advancement from EMT to paramedic roles. For those aiming to maximize their earnings in Redwood City, seeking positions with fire departments or pursuing additional training and certifications can significantly enhance pay prospects.
More salary data for Redwood City, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can emergency medical technicians make $100K in Redwood City?
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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 $44,712 for emergency medical techniciansin the Redwood City 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 Redwood City 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