Emergency Medical Technicians Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
In San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, emergency medical technicians earn $58,250 at the median — $28 an hour. The range runs from $47K at the entry level to $174K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 110.42), so that salary is closer to $52,753 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,483/month — about 91.6% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $58K get you in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
About emergency medical technicians
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Entry-level emergency medical technicians (10th percentile) start around $47K. Mid-career wages sit at $58K.Top earners bring in $174K or more - a $127K spread from bottom to top.
Emergency Medical Technicians pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $61K | +48% | 550 |
| Alaska | $57K | +38% | 290 |
| New Jersey | $50K | +20% | 5,630 |
| Rhode Island | $50K | +20% | 520 |
| Washington | $49K | +18% | 3,280 |
| Oregon | $48K | +16% | 1,760 |
| Connecticut | $48K | +15% | 2,100 |
| Maryland | $47K | +15% | 2,970 |
| New York | $46K | +11% | 14,350 |
| Massachusetts | $46K | +11% | 4,270 |
| District of Columbia | $46K | +11% | 410 |
| Maine | $46K | +11% | 1,010 |
| Minnesota | $46K | +11% | 2,840 |
| California | $46K | +10% | 19,020 |
| Delaware | $45K | +10% | 970 |
Track emergency medical technicians salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do emergency medical technicians make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median is $58,250 a year - that works out to about $28 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $47,160, and experienced emergency medical technicians can clear $174,350. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $58K enough to live in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,921/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,483/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 88.8% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a emergency medical technicians salary go in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara has a Regional Price Parity of 110.42 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median emergency medical technicians salary is worth about $52,753 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do emergency medical technicians get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.