Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians salary in California
Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians in California earn a median of $36,150 a year ($17.38 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,420 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,810 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $35,450. California ranks 13th of 41 states for ambulance drivers and attendants, except emergency medical technicians pay. There are 0.08 ambulance drivers and attendants, except emergency medical technicians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $38,680, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for ambulance drivers and attendants, except emergency medical technicians in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,320 | $16.50 |
| 25th percentile | $34,990 | $16.82 |
| Median | $36,150 | $17.38 |
| 75th percentile | $39,370 | $18.93 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,810 | $22.02 |
| Average (mean) | $38,680 | $18.60 |
Half of ambulance drivers and attendants, except emergency medical technicians earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,012.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,506.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,390.38 |
| Weekly | $695.19 |
| Hourly | $17.38 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $36,150 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $37,510 | 560 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $36,030 | 40 |
| Fresno, CA | $34,320 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for ambulance drivers and attendants, except emergency medical technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | $73,730 |
| Oregon | $40,900 |
| Massachusetts | $39,480 |
| Maryland | $38,410 |
| North Dakota | $37,690 |
| Utah | $37,660 |
| Wisconsin | $37,450 |
| New York | $37,230 |
| Virginia | $36,980 |
| Illinois | $36,730 |
See Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians pay in every state.
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,230 | $28.96 |
| Light Truck Driver | $46,790 | $22.50 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $45,600 | $21.92 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $44,730 | $21.50 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $67,130 | $32.27 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $61,040 | $29.35 |
| Taxi Driver | $39,260 | $18.88 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $45,050 | $21.66 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,710 | $21.50 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $42,870 | $20.61 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,770 | $22.97 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,260 | $17.91 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $65,550 | $31.51 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $37,920 | $18.23 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-3011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a ambulance drivers and attendants, except emergency medical technicians make in California?
The median salary for ambulance drivers and attendants, except emergency medical technicians in California is $36,150 a year, or $17.38 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid ambulance drivers and attendants, except emergency medical technicians make in California?
The top 10% of ambulance drivers and attendants, except emergency medical technicians in California earn at least $45,810 a year. The top 25% earn $39,370 or more.
What is the starting pay for ambulance drivers and attendants, except emergency medical technicians in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,320 a year, and a quarter of ambulance drivers and attendants, except emergency medical technicians earn $34,990 or less.
How many ambulance drivers and attendants, except emergency medical technicians work in California?
About 1,420 ambulance drivers and attendants, except emergency medical technicians are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.