Estimate · based on BLS national data

Emergency Medicine Physicians in California

$450,822 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$216.74 per hour

▲ 42.0% above U.S. average1st of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: Estimate (BLS national × cost of living) Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$450,822per year
Median$476,481per year
Hourly$216.74per hour
10th – 90th percentile$174,979 – $647,857per year

Emergency Medicine Physicians Pay Range in California

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$174,979
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$286,392
  • 50th Percentile — Median$476,481
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$537,072
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$647,857

Half of Emergency Medicine Physicians in California earn more than $476,481. The top 10% make $647,857 or more, while entry-level workers start around $174,979.

Emergency Medicine Physicians in California: Key Facts

Source: BLS national data adjusted for cost of living

  • California ranks 1st of 51 states for Emergency Medicine Physicians pay, at $450,822 per year (42.0% above the U.S. average of $317,480).
  • 4,420 people work as Emergency Medicine Physicians in California — 13.4% of all U.S. Emergency Medicine Physicians jobs.
  • Location quotient 1.15: Emergency Medicine Physicians jobs are more concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $174,979; the top 10% earn over $647,857.
  • Hourly equivalent: $216.74 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • Among healthcare jobs in California, Anesthesiologists pays the most ($512,009).

Emergency Medicine Physicians Job Market in California

Key factors affecting compensation

California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Emergency Medicine Physicians here earn $450,822 on average, placing the state 1st nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $450,822 is roughly equivalent to $317,480 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, North Dakota ($424,750), Rhode Island ($411,330), Iowa ($401,640) are the closest alternatives for Emergency Medicine Physicians weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Emergency Medicine Physicians salary in California?

The average Emergency Medicine Physicians salary in California is $450,822 per year (median $476,481), which is 42.0% above the national average of $317,480.

How does California rank for Emergency Medicine Physicians pay?

California ranks 1st out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is California ($450,822/yr).

How much do entry-level Emergency Medicine Physicians make in California?

The lowest-paid 10% of Emergency Medicine Physicians in California earn about $174,979 per year and the 25th percentile is $286,392.

How much do Emergency Medicine Physicians make per hour in California?

About $216.74 per hour, based on the $450,822 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Emergency Medicine Physicians work in California?

BLS counts 4,420 Emergency Medicine Physicians jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).

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