EMT salary in California
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
An EMT in California earns a median of $46,380 a year ($22.30/hour equivalent), 4.3% above the national median of $44,470. California ranks #16 of 51 states. About 21,880 people do this job in California.
Take-home pay in California
At the California median, a single filer keeps about $38,006 a year after federal, FICA and California taxes — $1,462 every two weeks. Try your own numbers with the California paycheck calculator.
- Gross pay
- $1,783.85
- Federal income tax
- −$130.22
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$110.60
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$25.87
- California income tax
- −$32.23
- CA SDI
- −$23.19
- Take-home pay
- $1,461.75
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $46,380
- Federal
- $3,386
- FICA
- $3,548
- State + local
- $1,441
- Net
- $38,006
- Marginal federal rate
- 12.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 4.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
How California compares
| Rank | State | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Hawaii | $66,410 |
| #2 | Alaska | $57,440 |
| #3 | New Jersey | $53,610 |
| #4 | Washington | $52,690 |
| #5 | Rhode Island | $51,290 |
| #16 | California | $46,380 |
| #49 | Kansas | $35,780 |
| #50 | West Virginia | $34,360 |
| #51 | Oklahoma | $34,170 |
See the national EMT salary page for the full pay range and all states.
BLS occupation: Emergency Medical Technicians (SOC 29-2042), May 2025, state estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an EMT make in California?
The median salary is $46,380 a year and the average is $52,900 (BLS May 2025).
Is California a good state for emergency medical technicians?
California ranks #16 of 51 states for median pay in this job, 4% above the national median of $44,470.
What is $46,380 after taxes in California?
About $38,006 a year ($1,462 every two weeks) for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.