40h normalized salary comparison

Paramedic Salary in Los Angeles

Average Paramedic salary in Los Angeles on a 40h basis 81,937 $ 6,828 $ gross/month · 39.39 $ gross/hour
Full-time salary range/year 50,000 $ – 127,000 $
Full-time salary range/month 4,167 $ – 10,583 $
Based on 28 salary reports

The average salary for a Paramedic in Los Angeles is 81,937 $ per year on a 40-hour full-time equivalent, or 6,828 $ gross per month and 39.39 $ gross per hour. The reported full-time salary range is 50,000 $ to 127,000 $. The analysis is based on 28 salary reports from workers and employers in Los Angeles. Part-time salaries are proportionally converted to 40 weekly hours so the values are comparable.

Reports 28
Minimum 40h 50,000 $
Avg. gross/year 40h 81,937 $
Avg. Gross/month 40h 6,828 $
Avg. gross/hour 40h 39.39 $
Maximum 40h 127,000 $

Minimum, average and maximum values on a 40h basis

Trend over time on a 40h basis

Individual reported salaries

Date Job title Weekly hours Reported gross/year Normalized to 40h/year Gross/month 40h Gross/hour 40h Note
06/01/2026 Self-employed Event Paramedic 30.0 h 45,000 $ 60,000 $ 5,000 $ 28.85 $ I freelance providing medical coverage for events and private functions. I'm self-employed, average about 30 hours per week over the year, and my reported gross varies with the event season.
04/10/2026 Paramedic - Senior Lead (Unionized) 40.0 h 127,000 $ 127,000 $ 10,583 $ 61.06 $ I'm a senior lead paramedic in a unionized role with negotiated pay scales and substantial overtime opportunities. This reported gross reflects base salary plus premiums and typical overtime in recent years.
02/21/2026 Paramedic - Training Coordinator 40.0 h 101,000 $ 101,000 $ 8,417 $ 48.56 $ I coordinate training programs and continuing education for paramedics. This is a full-time administrative and clinical educator role; my background includes years of field experience which factors into pay.
11/06/2025 Paramedic - Private Medical Transport (Part-time) 18.0 h 39,000 $ 86,667 $ 7,222 $ 41.67 $ I'm part-time with a private medical transport company working mainly daytime shifts for non-emergency transports. I average 18 hours per week and the salary reflects that limited schedule.
08/19/2025 Senior Paramedic / Clinical Lead 45.0 h 124,000 $ 110,222 $ 9,185 $ 52.99 $ I serve as a clinical lead with responsibilities for clinical policy and QA/QI across multiple crews. I work about 45 hours per week with administrative time included, which explains the higher annual gross.
04/02/2025 Paramedic - Travel / Contract 40.0 h 87,000 $ 87,000 $ 7,250 $ 41.83 $ I was on a year-long travel contract filling staffing shortages across LA area stations. The contract paid a premium and this was my gross for that contract year while working full time.
01/11/2025 Paramedic - Night Shift Lead 40.0 h 95,000 $ 95,000 $ 7,917 $ 45.67 $ I lead the night shift as a paramedic with additional responsibility for on-call coordination and incident command support. This is a full-time night schedule and the pay reflects differential and leadership duties.
10/25/2024 Paramedic Supervisor - Large EMS 44.0 h 118,000 $ 107,273 $ 8,939 $ 51.57 $ I'm a paramedic supervisor overseeing multiple crews for a large EMS organization. My duties include scheduling, disciplinary actions, and operational oversight. Hours average around 44 including meetings.
07/09/2024 Part-time Paramedic - Specialized Team 20.0 h 42,000 $ 84,000 $ 7,000 $ 40.38 $ I work part time on a specialized response team focusing on behavioral health transports. My hours average 20 per week and compensation is pro-rated for part-time status.
04/18/2024 Paramedic - Small Private Employer 40.0 h 72,000 $ 72,000 $ 6,000 $ 34.62 $ I work full time for a small private ambulance company. I handle both emergency calls and non-emergency transports, and have been in the role for several years with steady raises.
01/30/2024 Senior Critical Care Paramedic 40.0 h 112,000 $ 112,000 $ 9,333 $ 53.85 $ I am a senior-level critical care paramedic with advanced certifications and years of transport experience. This is a full-time role; pay is higher due to complexity and certification requirements.
09/13/2023 Community Paramedic - Program Lead 40.0 h 90,000 $ 90,000 $ 7,500 $ 43.27 $ I lead a small community paramedicine program, overseeing case work and coordinating referrals. I'm full time at 40 hours with managerial and program development responsibilities.
05/26/2023 Paramedic - Private Ambulance (Overtime Heavy) 40.0 h 105,000 $ 105,000 $ 8,750 $ 50.48 $ I work full time and pick up a lot of overtime shifts during peak seasons. My reported annual gross includes substantial overtime pay even though my regular scheduled hours are 40 per week.
02/18/2023 Self-employed Freelance Paramedic 28.0 h 54,000 $ 77,143 $ 6,429 $ 37.09 $ I contract as a freelance paramedic for event coverage and special transports. I'm self-employed and average about 28 hours per week; income fluctuates but this was my gross for the year reported.
11/07/2022 Paramedic - Supervising Clinician 45.0 h 98,000 $ 87,111 $ 7,259 $ 41.88 $ I'm a supervising clinician for a busy ambulance service, coordinating multiple crews and handling escalations. My hours are regularly above 40, averaging 45 with administrative responsibilities included.
08/12/2022 Paramedic - Large EMS Provider 40.0 h 78,000 $ 78,000 $ 6,500 $ 37.50 $ I work full time for one of the larger EMS providers in the region. My pay reflected standard full-time wages with regular overtime opportunities available but this figure is my base annual gross at the time reported.
03/29/2022 Paramedic Instructor 36.0 h 67,000 $ 74,444 $ 6,204 $ 35.79 $ I teach paramedic classes at a private training program. My workload averages 36 hours per week including classroom instruction and skills labs. Compensation is higher than entry-level field work but less than overtime-heavy field roles.
11/03/2021 Lead Paramedic / Shift Lead 44.0 h 92,000 $ 83,636 $ 6,970 $ 40.21 $ I'm a shift lead paramedic overseeing clinical operations during my shift. I work 44 hours per week on average, handle dispatch coordination, and fill in managerial gaps when supervisors are unavailable.
06/17/2021 Field Training Paramedic 42.0 h 80,000 $ 76,190 $ 6,349 $ 36.63 $ I work full time as a field training paramedic and train new hires in the field. My hours average slightly above 40 due to ride-alongs and training sessions. I do not have formal managerial responsibilities but do mentor staff.
02/09/2021 Critical Care Paramedic 40.0 h 88,000 $ 88,000 $ 7,333 $ 42.31 $ I work as a critical care paramedic transporting high-acuity patients between hospitals. This is a full-time position at 40 hours and requires extra certifications; pay is higher due to skill level.
08/14/2020 Paramedic - Private Ambulance (Part-time) 24.0 h 36,000 $ 60,000 $ 5,000 $ 28.85 $ I'm a part-time paramedic working mainly interfacility transfers. I average 24 hours per week and have been in this role since 2020. Pay reflects part-time status and no supervisory duties.
06/30/2020 Senior Paramedic 40.0 h 73,000 $ 73,000 $ 6,083 $ 35.10 $ I've been a senior paramedic handling complex calls and mentoring newer EMTs. I'm full time at 40 hours and my responsibilities include training and leading clinical care on scene.
10/22/2019 Paramedic - Fire Services Liaison 40.0 h 69,000 $ 69,000 $ 5,750 $ 33.17 $ I had a mid-level paramedic position working alongside fire crews. I was full time at 40 hours and occasionally worked extra shifts for overtime, which contributed to the annual gross reported here.
03/04/2019 Community Paramedic 38.0 h 58,000 $ 61,053 $ 5,088 $ 29.35 $ I worked as a community paramedic doing home visits and follow-ups. The role was full time but slightly under 40 hours with administrative duties included. I had specialized training but wasn't supervising others.
12/11/2018 Paramedic - County Contract 40.0 h 62,000 $ 62,000 $ 5,167 $ 29.81 $ I was working for a contractor supplying paramedics to county events and EMS calls. I was full time at 40 hours and had a couple years of experience. The pay reflected county rates at that time.
05/20/2018 Advanced Life Support Paramedic 36.0 h 54,000 $ 60,000 $ 5,000 $ 28.85 $ I worked full-time as an ALS paramedic for a private ambulance service. My schedule is three 12-hour shifts but averaged to 36 hours a week by payroll. Experience at the time was about two years.
11/02/2017 Field Paramedic 40.0 h 50,000 $ 50,000 $ 4,167 $ 24.04 $ I was hired as an entry-level field paramedic at a midsize EMS company. I work 40 hours, perform patient care and stretcher operations, and do not supervise others. This was my stated annual gross at the time.
07/15/2016 Paramedic (Part-time) 32.0 h 46,000 $ 57,500 $ 4,792 $ 27.64 $ I'm a part-time paramedic and have been with a small private ambulance provider since 2016. I work roughly four 8-hour shifts per week and handle 911 calls and transfers. Pay was modest when I started and has slowly increased with occasional per-call bonuses.

Job Outlook for Paramedics in Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California, is one of the nation’s busiest and most complex emergency medical systems, and paramedics here typically encounter a broad mix of urban, suburban, and coastal response environments. Within the city limits, the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) provides 9-1-1 medical response, supported by major trauma centers and teaching hospitals. The broader Los Angeles metro funnels millions of residents and visitors through freeways, stadiums, studios, ports, and the international airport, so daily call volume is often high and clinically varied.

Paramedics in Los Angeles commonly work in integrated fire-based EMS, private ambulance operations, hospital-based roles, and event medicine. California licensure is handled by the California EMS Authority, while paramedics practicing in the region are typically accredited under Los Angeles County EMS Agency protocols. Because of the city’s size and diversity, local teams place a strong emphasis on multi-agency coordination, disaster preparedness, and continuing education to keep skills current with county treatment guidelines.

Labor Market

Hiring demand for paramedics in Los Angeles is generally steady, driven by 24/7 coverage needs, retirements, population growth, and a year-round schedule of large events. The city’s dense traffic, frequent tourism, and extreme-weather days can increase medical call load, while the concentration of major hospitals and specialty centers creates ongoing demand for interfacility and critical care transports. Many employers in the area look for candidates who are comfortable working in fast-paced, high-acuity environments and who can collaborate across fire, law enforcement, hospital, and public health partners.

California’s evolving prehospital landscape also supports new care models. Community paramedicine and alternate-destination programs have been piloted in parts of the state, and Los Angeles providers are often early adopters of initiatives that reduce emergency department overcrowding and expand preventive care. Bilingual skills, familiarity with behavioral health resources, and strong documentation practices are frequently valued. Local training and continuing education—often available through organizations such as the UCLA Center for Prehospital Care and other accredited programs—help maintain a robust talent pipeline.

Major Employers

Paramedics in Los Angeles can find opportunities across public agencies, private services, hospitals, and specialized transport providers. Notable organizations that often hire for paramedic or paramedic-adjacent roles in the Los Angeles area include:

  • Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) – Primary 9-1-1 EMS within the City of Los Angeles, offering dual-role firefighter/paramedic positions and EMS-focused assignments.
  • Los Angeles County Fire Department – Serves unincorporated areas and many contract cities in the county surrounding Los Angeles, with firefighter/paramedic roles.
  • Cedars-Sinai – A major academic medical center where paramedics may work in emergency department technician and transport roles.
  • UCLA Health – Facilities such as Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and UCLA Santa Monica often employ experienced ED techs and transport staff.
  • Keck Medicine of USC / LAC+USC Medical Center – A regional safety-net and teaching hospital with high-acuity emergency and trauma services.
  • Children’s Hospital Los Angeles – A leading pediatric center that supports specialized transport and emergency care teams.
  • American Medical Response (AMR) – Private ambulance provider active in Los Angeles County, commonly hiring single-role paramedics for 9-1-1 support in some jurisdictions and interfacility transports.
  • Care Ambulance Service, McCormick Ambulance, AmbuServe, and DocGo/Ambulnz – Private services that typically staff ALS/BLS units, event standby teams, and hospital transfers in the LA region.
  • REACH Air Medical Services and Mercy Air (Air Methods) – Air medical programs serving Southern California that may hire experienced paramedics as flight crew.

Career Opportunities

Los Angeles offers a wide spectrum of pathways for paramedics. Within the city, many professionals pursue firefighter/paramedic roles that blend suppression, rescue, and advanced life support. Single-role paramedics can build careers in high-volume 9-1-1 systems elsewhere in the county, interfacility critical care transport, or specialty teams that support mass gatherings, film and television productions, and major sporting events. With experience and additional certifications, paramedics may advance into prehospital education, quality improvement, clinical coordination, or supervisory positions.

The region’s disaster profile—earthquakes, wildfires affecting air quality, extreme heat, and major incidents—means paramedics here often train for multi-casualty response and urban search and rescue operations. Flight medicine and neonatal/pediatric transport are competitive specialties supported by the area’s academic and trauma centers. As integrated care and mobile health programs expand, community paramedicine and case management roles can also emerge. For motivated clinicians who value diverse clinical experience and interagency teamwork, Los Angeles typically provides an active and evolving environment to build a long-term EMS career.

Frequently Asked Questions about Paramedic in Los Angeles

How much does a Paramedic make in Los Angeles?

The average salary for a Paramedic in Los Angeles is 81,937 $ per year on a 40-hour basis, or 6,828 $ gross per month.

Why are salaries converted to 40 hours?

Part-time and full-time reports are normalized to a 40-hour workweek so salary reports can be compared fairly.

Where can I find more salary comparisons for Paramedic or Los Angeles?

You can find more comparisons on the profession overview for Paramedic and the city overview for Los Angeles. They show reported cities or jobs with their difference from the average.