Emergency Medical Technician Salary in San Buenaventura, CA: $48,852 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in San Buenaventura, CA earns a median $48,852/year (≈ $23.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in San Buenaventura's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $43,194 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Emergency medical technicians in San Buenaventura, California, can expect a median annual salary of $48,852 in 2026, which represents a slight increase compared to the national median of $47,058. The salary range for EMTs in the area varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $38,649 and more experienced professionals earning up to $71,359. These figures reflect estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026 and adjusted for local cost-of-living factors. San Buenaventura's emergency medical technician job market is characterized by diverse employment opportunities, including positions that may not leverage the oil-field or industrial medic premium frequently seen in other regions. EMTs here may earn less than their counterparts in specialized sectors, but the overall compensation reflects the intensity and commitment required in this field.
About the San Buenaventura Market
Salary estimated from California average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,649 | $18.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,509 | $20.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,852 | $23.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56,590 | $27.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $71,359 | $34.31 |
Median Salary Position
3.81% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Buenaventura
In San Buenaventura, CA, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,710 (2026 est.). At $48,852, the local median is 3.81% above the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Buenaventura: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Buenaventura Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
San Buenaventura median: $48,852/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Buenaventura Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $48,368 | +1.00% more |
| National Average | $47,058 | +3.81% more |
Emergency Medical Technicians in San Buenaventura, CA earn a median of $48,852 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.81% higher than the national median of $47,058 and 1.00% above the California state average of $48,368.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Buenaventura has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Buenaventura, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $48,852 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $43,194 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$36,822
2025 BLS Actual
$46,165
2026 Current Est.
$48,852
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in San Buenaventura (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $36,822 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,078 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,414 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,967 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,165 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,852 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,695 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Buenaventura metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $36,822 (2021) to $46,165 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,695 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,873 (40.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Buenaventura 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) | $38,649 – $42,509 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,509 – $48,852 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,852 – $56,590 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $56,590 – $71,359 |
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 San Buenaventura
Currently, there are 19 emergency medical technicians employed in San Buenaventura, which indicates a relatively stable local job market. However, the cost of living in the area, measured at a CoL index of 113.1, means that take-home pay may be less impactful than it might appear. The highest-paying employers often include municipal fire departments, which typically provide cross-trained firefighter-EMTs with salaries that can far exceed those offered by private ambulance services like AMR and GMR. Understanding the significant pay disparity among employers is essential; factors like shift differentials, overtime availability, and the bridge from EMT to paramedic play crucial roles in overall compensation. To maximize earnings within San Buenaventura's market, aspiring EMTs should consider seeking employment with fire departments, pursuing advanced certifications, or negotiating favorable shift schedules, as these strategies can enhance their emergency medical technician pay in San Buenaventura, CA.
More salary data for San Buenaventura, 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 $46,165 for emergency medical techniciansin the San Buenaventura 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 San Buenaventura 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