EMT Salary

Bowling Green vs Columbus: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

Compare emergency medical technician salaries between Bowling Green, OH and Columbus, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bowling Green, OH
$41,932
$20.16/hr
Columbus, OH
$43,936
$21.12/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBowling Green, OHColumbus, OH
Median Salary$41,932$43,936
Hourly Rate$20.16$21.12
Entry Level (P10)$33,291$39,058
25th Percentile$36,108$41,280
75th Percentile$46,100$49,693
Top Earner (P90)$56,166$58,698
Total Employed7760
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bowling Green ($41,932) and Columbus ($43,936) emergency medical technician salaries.Bowling GreenColumbusMedian Salary$41,932$43,936Entry Level (P10)$33,291$39,058Top Earner (P90)$56,166$58,698US Median $47,058

Verdict

Columbus, OH offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Bowling Green.

The salary gap between Bowling Green and Columbus is $2,004 (4.78%). Columbus's median is -6.63% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bowling Green spans $22,875,Columbus spans $19,640. Bowling Green has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Bowling Green
P10 (Entry)$33,291
P25$36,108
Median$41,932
P75$46,100
P90 (Top)$56,166
Columbus
P10 (Entry)$39,058
P25$41,280
Median$43,936
P75$49,693
P90 (Top)$58,698

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Bowling Green ($46,232 effective) pays 0.46% more than Columbus ($46,021 effective).

Bowling Green
Nominal: $41,932
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $46,232
Columbus
Nominal: $43,936
CoL Index: 95.469
Adjusted: $46,021

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bowling Green if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $46,232)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Columbus if…

  • Higher median salary ($43,936/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($58,698)
  • Larger job market (760 employed)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Bowling Green grew 15.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 37.4% growth in Columbus over the same period.

Bowling Green, OH

+15.7%

$34,246 (2024) → $39,626 (2025)

Columbus, OH

+37.4%

$30,210 (2021) → $41,520 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Bowling Green or Columbus?

Columbus has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $43,936/year, compared to Bowling Green at $41,932/year — a difference of $2,004 (4.78%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bowling Green and Columbus?

Bowling Green emergency medical technicians earn $20.16/hr while Columbus hygienists earn $21.12/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bowling Green to Columbus as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bowling Green and Columbus. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bowling Green = $46,232, Columbus = $46,021), job availability (7 vs 760 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Bowling Green vs Columbus?

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $33,291 in Bowling Green and $39,058 in Columbus. The Columbus area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AP

Written by Aisha Patel, EMT-P

Career Analyst

Aisha has 10 years of experience as an emergency medical technician. She specializes in pre-hospital care and triage. Aisha works primarily in urban emergency services.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Mendoza, EMT-BData verified by Fatima Ali, EMT-I

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.82% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, EMT-P, a licensed emergency medical technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov