Pay
The median is the middle of paramedics already employed, not a starting wage. The 25th is the lower quarter of that group. The 75th is what the upper quarter already earns.
| Percentile | Metro | CA | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25th | $66,140 | $63,490 | $49,660 |
| Median | $71,390 | $74,590 | $60,600 |
| 75th | $83,550 | $90,730 | $73,470 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Hiring difficulty and demand
This is the same score as the free check.
Who's hiring
- American Medical Response West, 1 campuses
- American Medical Transport, 1 campuses
Campuses on file in the provider extract, not live job ads.
License and training
Every state licenses or certifies paramedics. Most use the National Registry paramedic exam as part of the path. Confirm your state EMS office's rules before you hire or start.
Sources: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, EMTs and paramedics
The work
You check the truck and its drugs, answer calls, treat the patient, and transport them to the right hospital. Then you write the report and restock before the next call comes in.
Shifts can be 12 or 24 hours long, depending on the service and the county. The work is physical, and some calls stay with you long after the shift ends.
Nearby metros
- San Jose, CA · 25 miles
- Salinas, CA · 30 miles
- San Francisco, CA · 59 miles
- Modesto, CA · 73 miles
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One manager hiring: Hire a Paramedic in Santa Cruz.
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Questions
Who hires paramedics in Santa Cruz?
Ambulance services, fire departments, and hospitals hire paramedics in Santa Cruz. Organizations on file in the provider extract include American Medical Response West, American Medical Transport.
How do I get licensed as a paramedic in California?
Start with the California EMS office. Most states use the National Registry exam as part of the path.
What should an ambulance service in Santa Cruz weigh when hiring?
Ask about lead experience and shift fit. Santa Cruz has about a third fewer of these workers than a typical metro. This metro is 4% under the California median.