Paramedic salary in California
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A paramedic in California earns a median of $74,590 a year ($35.86/hour equivalent), 23.1% above the national median of $60,600. California ranks #8 of 51 states. About 5,190 people do this job in California.
Take-home pay in California
At the California median, a single filer keeps about $57,593 a year after federal, FICA and California taxes — $2,215 every two weeks. Try your own numbers with the California paycheck calculator.
- Gross pay
- $2,868.85
- Federal income tax
- −$291.53
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$177.87
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$41.60
- California income tax
- −$105.45
- CA SDI
- −$37.30
- Take-home pay
- $2,215.10
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $74,590
- Federal
- $7,580
- FICA
- $5,706
- State + local
- $3,711
- Net
- $57,593
- Marginal federal rate
- 22.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 8.0%
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 | Washington | $104,310 |
| #2 | New Jersey | $86,630 |
| #3 | Hawaii | $81,280 |
| #4 | District of Columbia | $78,550 |
| #5 | Connecticut | $77,480 |
| #8 | California | $74,590 |
| #49 | Alabama | $48,540 |
| #50 | West Virginia | $48,460 |
| #51 | Oklahoma | $46,790 |
See the national paramedic salary page for the full pay range and all states.
BLS occupation: Paramedics (SOC 29-2043), May 2025, state estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a paramedic make in California?
The median salary is $74,590 a year and the average is $77,740 (BLS May 2025).
Is California a good state for paramedics?
California ranks #8 of 51 states for median pay in this job, 23% above the national median of $60,600.
What is $74,590 after taxes in California?
About $57,593 a year ($2,215 every two weeks) for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.