Paramedics pay in California
In California, the median pay for paramedics is $35.86 an hour ($74,590 a year). About 5,190 people work in this job there.
That is 23% higher than the U.S. median ($60,600). California ranks 8th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for paramedics in California
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $25.66 | $53,370 |
| 25% of workers | $30.52 | $63,490 |
| Half of workers (median) | $35.86 | $74,590 |
| 75% of workers | $43.62 | $90,730 |
| 90% of workers | $49.26 | $102,450 |
Paramedics pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Redding | $88,740 | 40 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $84,480 | 110 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $83,090 | 780 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $81,430 | 390 |
| Salinas | $80,710 | 50 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $80,590 | 60 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $74,900 | 1,200 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $74,080 | 70 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $73,930 | 40 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $72,520 | 580 |
| Modesto | $72,170 | 130 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $71,390 | 40 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $70,630 | 430 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $69,050 | 120 |
| Merced | $64,100 | 30 |
| Visalia | $63,840 | 50 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for paramedics
- Typical education to start: Postsecondary nondegree award (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 1 to 3 months (O*NET)
- Experience usually needed to start: Less than 5 years (BLS)
- Job outlook: +5.7% over ten years, faster than average · about 4,300 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | $140,270 |
| Medical Assistants | $49,660 |
| Nursing Assistants | $47,630 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $79,750 |
| Emergency Medical Technicians | $46,380 |
| Respiratory Therapists | $104,820 |
| Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians | $36,150 |
| Surgical Assistants | $62,540 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.