Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Turlock, CA: $47,303 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Turlock, CA earns a median $47,303/year (≈ $22.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Turlock's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $41,824 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, emergency medical technicians in Turlock, California, can expect a median annual salary of $47,303, slightly above the national figure of $47,058. The salaries for this occupation in Turlock range from $37,397 at the lower end (P10) to as high as $68,196 for top earners (P90). These figures represent local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for the region's cost of living. Turlock’s job market offers a diverse array of employment opportunities, particularly in industrial and oil-field sectors, which often pay a premium compared to traditional private ambulance services. This unique aspect of Turlock’s economy can greatly influence earnings potential within the EMT profession.
About the Turlock Market
Salary estimated from California average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,397 | $17.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,879 | $19.65 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,303 | $22.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54,638 | $26.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68,196 | $32.78 |
Median Salary Position
0.52% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Turlock
In Turlock, CA, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,799 (2026 est.). At $47,303, the local median is 0.52% above the national median of $47,058.
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At 40 hours/week in Turlock: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Turlock Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Turlock median: $47,303/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Turlock Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $48,367 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | +0.52% more |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Turlock, CA earn a median of $47,303 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.52% higher than the national median of $47,058 and 2.20% below the California state average of $48,367.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Turlock has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Turlock, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $47,303 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $41,824 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$35,654
2025 BLS Actual
$44,701
2026 Current Est.
$47,303
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Turlock (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $35,654 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,871 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,132 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,938 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,701 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,303 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,056 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Turlock metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $35,654 (2021) to $44,701 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,056 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,402 (40.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Turlock 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) | $37,397 – $40,879 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,879 – $47,303 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,303 – $54,638 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $54,638 – $68,196 |
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 Turlock
With only 17 emergency medical technicians employed in the Turlock area, the local job market remains relatively small but steady. The reasonably higher cost of living, reflected by a cost-of-living index of 113.1, indicates that though salaries are competitive, they must stretch further than in areas with lower living costs. Most lucrative positions are typically found with municipal fire departments, which offer better pay due to union contracts and benefits compared to private ambulance companies that have lagged behind inflation. Additionally, those seeking to maximize their earnings may consider opportunities as oil-field medics or pursuing the EMT-to-paramedic bridge pathway, which can open doors to higher-paying roles. Taking advantage of overtime and shift differentials can further enhance take-home pay, making it essential for EMTs in Turlock to be strategic in their career choices and employer selections.
More salary data for Turlock, 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 $44,701 for emergency medical techniciansin the Turlock 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 Turlock 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