EMT Salary

Cleveland vs Parma: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

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

Cleveland, OH
$47,069
$22.63/hr
Parma, OH
$42,540
$20.46/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHParma, OH
Median Salary$47,069$42,540
Hourly Rate$22.63$20.46
Entry Level (P10)$39,429$32,341
25th Percentile$41,111$35,763
75th Percentile$51,323$47,237
Top Earner (P90)$61,725$58,109
Total Employed97012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($47,069) and Parma ($42,540) emergency medical technician salaries.ClevelandParmaMedian Salary$47,069$42,540Entry Level (P10)$39,429$32,341Top Earner (P90)$61,725$58,109US Median $47,058

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cleveland and Parma is $4,529 (10.65%). Cleveland's median is +0.02% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cleveland spans $22,296,Parma spans $25,768. Parma has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced emergency medical technicians.

Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$39,429
P25$41,111
Median$47,069
P75$51,323
P90 (Top)$61,725
Parma
P10 (Entry)$32,341
P25$35,763
Median$42,540
P75$47,237
P90 (Top)$58,109

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cleveland ($50,114 effective) pays 6.85% more than Parma ($46,902 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $47,069
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $50,114
Parma
Nominal: $42,540
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $46,902

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cleveland if…

  • Higher median salary ($47,069/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($61,725)
  • Larger job market (970 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $50,114)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Parma if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Cleveland grew 43.3% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 15.7% growth in Parma over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+43.3%

$31,040 (2021) → $44,480 (2025)

Parma, OH

+15.7%

$34,742 (2024) → $40,200 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Cleveland or Parma?

Cleveland has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $47,069/year, compared to Parma at $42,540/year — a difference of $4,529 (10.65%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Parma?

Cleveland emergency medical technicians earn $22.63/hr while Parma hygienists earn $20.46/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cleveland to Parma as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Parma. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $50,114, Parma = $46,902), job availability (970 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Cleveland vs Parma?

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $39,429 in Cleveland and $32,341 in Parma. The Cleveland 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