A career as an emergency medical technician or Paramedic (EMT) in California will be one that is incredibly rewarding. Your skills and intervention could mean the difference between life and death for many of those you treat.
Below you will find information on EMT training programs in California, certification requirements, and careers information.
Top EMT Schools in California
| School | Area | Learn More |
|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield College | Bakersfield, CA | Learn More |
| Southwestern College | ChulaVista, CA | Learn More |
| College of the Redwoods | Eureka, CA | Learn More |
| Fresno County Department of Public Health | Fresno, CA | Learn More |
| Imperial Community College District | Imperial, CA | Learn More |
| University of Antelope Valley | Lancaster, CA | Learn More |
| National College of Technical Instruction | Livermore, CA | Learn More |
| Foothill College | LosAltosHills, CA | Learn More |
| UCLA Paramedic Education Program | LosAngeles, CA | Learn More |
| Saddleback College | MissionViejo, CA | Learn More |
| Napa Valley College | Napa, CA | Learn More |
| Butte Community College | Oroville, CA | Learn More |
| Moreno Valley College | Riverside, CA | Learn More |
| National College of Technical Instruction | Riverside, CA | Learn More |
| National College of Technical Instruction | Roseville, CA | Learn More |
| American River College | Sacramento, CA | Learn More |
| California State University | Sacramento, CA | Learn More |
| City College of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | Learn More |
| WestMed College | SanJose, CA | Learn More |
| Cuesta College | SanLuisObispo, CA | Learn More |
| Palomar College | SanMarcos, CA | Learn More |
| National College of Technical Instruction | SantaBarbara, CA | Learn More |
| Los Angeles County Emergency Medical Services Agency | SantaFeSprings, CA | Learn More |
| Santa Rosa Junior College | SantaRosa, CA | Learn More |
| Point Loma Nazarene University/EMSTA College for EMS | Santee, CA | Learn More |
| Ventura College | Ventura, CA | Learn More |
| Victor Valley College | Victorville, CA | Learn More |
| Mt. San Antonio College | Walnut, CA | Learn More |
| National College of Technical Instruction | Weed, CA | Learn More |
| Absolute Safety Training Inc. | Willows, CA | Learn More |
| Crafton Hills College | Yucaipa, CA | Learn More |
To become an EMT in California, you must complete a state-approved training program and obtain EMT Certification. Listed above are the top 31 approved schools for EMT training in California.
EMT-Basic training is the first step towards a rewarding career and usually takes less than 12 months to complete. Advanced training or a Paramedics degree in California will take up to 2 years.
As part of your application to an EMT training program in California, you will need to provide evidence of;
- A high school diploma, or equivalent,
- A clean criminal background,
- Pass a drug test
- CPR qualifications
- Pass a fitness and medical test
Due to the hands on nature of EMT training a lot of the classes will take place in a classroom setting. For more information on choosing an EMT program near you click here.
Use the map below to browse schools near you in California offering EMT and paramedic training.
EMT Certification in California
EMT certification in California is essential and is obtained by successfully completing the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (National Registry) certification exams.
Certification applicants must meet the following criteria;
- Completion of a California state approved EMT training program – must have been completed within the past two years and must verified by the Program Director on the National Registry website.
- Have up to date CPR-BLS credentials for “Healthcare Provider”.
- Successful completion of the National Registry cognitive exams and state approved psychomotor exams.
EMT License in California
Once you have graduated from an approved training program and obtained your EMT certification you will need to apply to the California Emergency Medical Services Authority for your license before you can begin work as an EMT or Paramedic in California.
California is not a member of the EMS Compact – an agreement in place between 21 states to allow for the free movement of EMS personnel between member states in the performance of their professional duties and to recognize the license of an EMT or Paramedic licensed in another Compact state.
The California Emergency Medical Services Authority deals with all queries relating to certification and licensing in California. You can contact them on the details below;
Phone: 916-322-4336
Website: emsa.ca.gov
EMT Salary in California
| Salary | $43,680 |
| Hourly Wage | $21.00 |
| Bottom 10% of Earners | $25,410 |
| Top 10% of Earners | $71,480 |
| Employed | 21,990 |
The average EMT and Paramedic salary in California is $43,680 – according to recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, based on information gathered in May 2019. This is over 12% above the national average salary for EMT’s and Paramedics in the USA.
EMT’s in California earn an average income of $21.00 per hour.
Salary Range
- The top 10% of earners in the state had an average annual income of $71,480
- The lower 10% and entry level EMT’s in California earned an average of $25,410 per annum
- EMT’s working in El Centro earned the highest average salaries in the state at $55,950
- EMT’s working in Visalia have the lowest average salary level of $30,910.
| Metro Area | Employment | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield | 260 | $53,680 |
| El Centro | 50 | $90,570 |
| Fresno | - | $50,050 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | 6,610 | $71,060 |
| Madera | 160 | $69,800 |
| Modesto | - | $69,930 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | - | $76,910 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | 3,180 | $63,340 |
| Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade | 1,310 | $65,860 |
| San Diego-Carlsbad | 1,890 | $58,720 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward | 3,550 | $100,990 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | 350 | $56,000 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | 230 | $48,160 |
| Santa Rosa | 750 | $54,660 |
| Stockton-Lodi | 520 | $67,960 |
| Vallejo-Fairfield | 330 | $76,570 |
| Visalia-Porterville | 240 | $39,460 |
| Yuba City | 110 | $64,610 |
Click here for updated EMT Salary data for 2020 and 2021.
EMT Employment in California
There are currently 21,990 people employed as EMT’s and Paramedics in California. The highest number of EMT and Paramedic jobs in California are in Los Angeles.
The Bureau for Labor Statistics predicts that employment in the sector will grow nationally by 6% over the 10 year period between 2019 and 2029 – this is faster than the average for all occupations.
The table below provides a comparison between salary and employment for EMTs and Paramedics compared to similar career options in California.
| Career | Salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| EMT / Paramedic | $43,680 | 21,990 |
| Medical Assistant | $40,120 | 96,850 |
| Surgical Technician | $62,510 | 9,480 |
| Nursing Assistant | $36,630 | 100,190 |
| Physician Assistant | $127,520 | 10,890 |
Getting started as an EMT in California
- Obtain basic skills such as CPR qualifications – click here
- Use the search box below to find a school or training program in your area and begin by reaching out to request information on admissions, tuition, course structure, etc