EMT Salary

Columbus vs Solon: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

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

Columbus, OH
$43,936
$21.12/hr
Solon, OH
$38,785
$18.65/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricColumbus, OHSolon, OH
Median Salary$43,936$38,785
Hourly Rate$21.12$18.65
Entry Level (P10)$39,058$31,997
25th Percentile$41,280$34,088
75th Percentile$49,693$43,008
Top Earner (P90)$58,698$51,826
Total Employed7606
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Columbus ($43,936) and Solon ($38,785) emergency medical technician salaries.ColumbusSolonMedian Salary$43,936$38,785Entry Level (P10)$39,058$31,997Top Earner (P90)$58,698$51,826US Median $47,058

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Columbus and Solon is $5,151 (13.28%). 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 Columbus spans $19,640,Solon spans $19,829. Solon has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced emergency medical technicians.

Columbus
P10 (Entry)$39,058
P25$41,280
Median$43,936
P75$49,693
P90 (Top)$58,698
Solon
P10 (Entry)$31,997
P25$34,088
Median$38,785
P75$43,008
P90 (Top)$51,826

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Columbus ($46,021 effective) pays 7.62% more than Solon ($42,762 effective).

Columbus
Nominal: $43,936
CoL Index: 95.469
Adjusted: $46,021
Solon
Nominal: $38,785
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $42,762

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Columbus if…

  • Higher median salary ($43,936/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($58,698)
  • Larger job market (760 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $46,021)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Solon if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Columbus grew 37.4% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 15.7% growth in Solon over the same period.

Columbus, OH

+37.4%

$30,210 (2021) → $41,520 (2025)

Solon, OH

+15.7%

$31,676 (2024) → $36,652 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Columbus or Solon?

Columbus has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $43,936/year, compared to Solon at $38,785/year — a difference of $5,151 (13.28%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Columbus and Solon?

Columbus emergency medical technicians earn $21.12/hr while Solon hygienists earn $18.65/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Columbus and Solon. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Columbus = $46,021, Solon = $42,762), job availability (760 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $39,058 in Columbus and $31,997 in Solon. 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