Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Modesto, CA
Emergency Medical Technicians in the Modesto, CA metro area earn a median $47,160 a year — 6% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $38,581 take-home, or $3,215 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median emergency medical technician salary in Modesto, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,479
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,924
- Medicare (1.45%)$684
- California income tax$879
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$613
- Take-home pay$38,581
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
Emergency Medical Technician pay by experience in Modesto, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,920 | $18.71 | $32,400 | $2,700 |
| 25th percentile | $43,730 | $21.02 | $36,010 | $3,001 |
| Median (50th) | $47,160 | $22.67 | $38,581 | $3,215 |
| 75th percentile | $62,990 | $30.28 | $50,145 | $4,179 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,130 | $37.08 | $59,130 | $4,928 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $47,160 buys in Modesto, CA
Prices in Modesto, CA are 4.1% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.08× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median emergency medical technician's $38,581 take-home pay has the buying power of $37,059 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Modesto, CA has 1.9× the national concentration of emergency medical technician jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for emergency medical technicians, adjusted for cost of living
Modesto, CA ranks #32 of 71 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $67,050 | $52,434 | $47,254 |
| 2 | Nashville, TN | $47,990 | $40,740 | $42,289 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $55,700 | $46,935 | $42,233 |
| 4 | New Haven, CT | $53,440 | $43,639 | $41,736 |
| 5 | Milwaukee, WI | $48,880 | $40,085 | $41,352 |
| 6 | Raleigh, NC | $49,160 | $40,227 | $40,983 |
| 7 | Winston, NC | $44,860 | $36,944 | $40,138 |
| 8 | Cleveland, OH | $44,480 | $37,479 | $39,904 |
| 32 | Modesto, CA | $47,160 | $38,581 | $37,059 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 71 metros →
Emergency Medical Technician salaries elsewhere in California
- San Jose, CA — $54,650
- Sacramento, CA — $49,550
- San Francisco, CA — $51,480
- Riverside, CA — $43,500
- Los Angeles, CA — $45,090
- San Diego, CA — $43,620
- Fresno, CA — $38,740
Frequently asked questions
How much does a emergency medical technician make in Modesto, CA?
The median emergency medical technician salary in the Modesto, CA metro area is $47,160 a year, or about $22.67 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $43,730 and $62,990.
What is a emergency medical technician’s take-home pay in Modesto, CA?
On the median $47,160 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $38,581 a year ($3,215 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,492 in California taxes in 2026.
Is Modesto, CA a good place to work as a emergency medical technician?
Pay here is 6% above the national median of $44,470. Local prices are 4.1% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $37,059 would in a typical U.S. city. Modesto, CA ranks #32 of 71 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a emergency medical technician afford rent in Modesto, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Modesto, CA is $1,356 a month ($1,758 for two bedrooms) — 42% of a median emergency medical technician’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Modesto, CA
- Registered Nurse — $132,590
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $78,200
- Pharmacy Technician — $50,540