Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Santa Clarita, CA: $49,421 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Santa Clarita, CA earns a median $49,421/year (≈ $23.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Santa Clarita's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $43,697 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, emergency medical technicians in Santa Clarita, California, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $49,421—slightly above the national median of $47,058. The salary range varies considerably, from $37,380 at the 10th percentile to $73,484 at the 90th percentile. These figures are estimates derived from BLS state-level data, adjusting for regional price parity to reflect local market conditions. For those pursuing career advancement, the transition from EMT to paramedic can significantly enhance earning potential, as paramedics often command higher salaries and increased responsibilities across various emergency response settings in Santa Clarita, particularly with municipal fire departments, which tend to offer the most lucrative compensation packages.
About the Santa Clarita Market
Salary estimated from California average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,380 | $17.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,922 | $20.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,421 | $23.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57,600 | $27.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,484 | $35.33 |
Median Salary Position
5.02% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Clarita
In Santa Clarita, CA, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,104 (2026 est.). At $49,421, the local median is 5.02% above the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Santa Clarita: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Santa Clarita Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Santa Clarita median: $49,421/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Clarita Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $48,357 | +2.20% more |
| National Average | $47,058 | +5.02% more |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Santa Clarita, CA earn a median of $49,421 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.02% higher than the national median of $47,058 and 2.20% above the California state average of $48,357.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Clarita has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Clarita, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $49,421 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $43,697 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$37,251
2025 BLS Actual
$46,703
2026 Current Est.
$49,421
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Santa Clarita (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $37,251 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,522 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,885 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,712 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,703 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,421 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,297 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Clarita metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $37,251 (2021) to $46,703 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,297 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,046 (40.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Clarita 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) | $37,380 – $41,922 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,922 – $49,421 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,421 – $57,600 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $57,600 – $73,484 |
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 Santa Clarita
In Santa Clarita, 41 emergency medical technicians are actively employed, highlighting a tight labor market within the sector. The local cost of living index stands at 113.1, indicating that salaries may not stretch as far as in other regions with lower living expenses. Among the notable employers offering competitive pay are private ambulance companies like AMR and GMR, as well as municipal fire departments that benefit from strong union contracts. The gap between the lowest and highest salaries in this field can be attributed to factors such as employer type, overtime opportunities, and associated shift differentials. For EMTs seeking to maximize their pay, pursuing additional certifications, embracing the EMT-to-paramedic bridge pathway, and exploring opportunities for cross-training with fire departments can significantly boost their earnings, establishing a more favorable financial trajectory in the Santa Clarita job market.
More salary data for Santa Clarita, 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 $46,703 for emergency medical techniciansin the Santa Clarita 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 Santa Clarita 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