EMT Salary

Cincinnati vs Kettering: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

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

Cincinnati, OH
$42,233
$20.31/hr
Kettering, OH
$40,536
$19.49/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCincinnati, OHKettering, OH
Median Salary$42,233$40,536
Hourly Rate$20.31$19.49
Entry Level (P10)$32,910$31,840
25th Percentile$39,418$34,970
75th Percentile$51,026$46,729
Top Earner (P90)$60,730$58,441
Total Employed75010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cincinnati ($42,233) and Kettering ($40,536) emergency medical technician salaries.CincinnatiKetteringMedian Salary$42,233$40,536Entry Level (P10)$32,910$31,840Top Earner (P90)$60,730$58,441US Median $47,058

Verdict

Cincinnati, OH offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Kettering.

The salary gap between Cincinnati and Kettering is $1,697 (4.19%). Cincinnati's median is -10.25% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cincinnati spans $27,820,Kettering spans $26,601. Cincinnati has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cincinnati
P10 (Entry)$32,910
P25$39,418
Median$42,233
P75$51,026
P90 (Top)$60,730
Kettering
P10 (Entry)$31,840
P25$34,970
Median$40,536
P75$46,729
P90 (Top)$58,441

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kettering ($44,692 effective) pays 0.92% more than Cincinnati ($44,283 effective).

Cincinnati
Nominal: $42,233
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $44,283
Kettering
Nominal: $40,536
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $44,692

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cincinnati if…

  • Higher median salary ($42,233/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($60,730)
  • Larger job market (750 employed)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Kettering if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $44,692)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Cincinnati grew 15.5% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 13.8% growth in Kettering over the same period.

Cincinnati, OH

+15.5%

$34,540 (2021) → $39,910 (2025)

Kettering, OH

+13.8%

$33,661 (2024) → $38,307 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Cincinnati or Kettering?

Cincinnati has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $42,233/year, compared to Kettering at $40,536/year — a difference of $1,697 (4.19%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cincinnati and Kettering?

Cincinnati emergency medical technicians earn $20.31/hr while Kettering hygienists earn $19.49/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cincinnati to Kettering as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cincinnati and Kettering. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cincinnati = $44,283, Kettering = $44,692), job availability (750 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Cincinnati vs Kettering?

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $32,910 in Cincinnati and $31,840 in Kettering. The Cincinnati 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