Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Lima, OH: $41,513 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Lima, OH earns a median $41,513/year (≈ $19.96/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Lima's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $45,770 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lima, Ohio, an emergency medical technician (EMT) can expect to see a median annual salary of $41,513 in 2026, which reflects a significant gap when compared to the national median of $47,058. Local salaries for EMTs range from $34,388 at the 10th percentile to $54,677 at the 90th percentile, presenting a broad spectrum of earning potential based on factors such as employer type and experience. This data, derived from state-level BLS estimates adjusted for regional cost considerations, highlights a unique salary landscape in Lima. The difference in pay between fire department EMTs—often unionized and cross-trained firefighters—and those employed by private ambulance companies, who generally earn less, shapes the local market. With just eight EMTs currently working in the area, competition for favorable positions can be minimal, especially with the opportunities that arise within municipal fire departments.
About the Lima Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,388 | $16.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,836 | $17.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $41,513 | $19.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45,169 | $21.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54,677 | $26.29 |
Median Salary Position
11.78% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lima
In Lima, OH, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,289 (2026 est.). At $41,513, the local median is 11.78% below the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lima: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lima Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Lima median: $41,513/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lima Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $42,188 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | -11.78% less |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Lima, OH earn a median of $41,513 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.78% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 1.60% below the Ohio state average of $42,188.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lima has a cost of living 9.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lima, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A emergency medical technician earning $41,513 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $45,770 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$28,430
2025 BLS Actual
$39,230
2026 Current Est.
$41,513
2021–2027 Growth
+54.5%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Lima (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $28,430 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,358 | Actual |
| 2023 | $34,343 | Actual |
| 2024 | $33,904 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,230 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,513 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,929 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lima metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 38.0% from $28,430 (2021) to $39,230 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $43,929 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,499 (54.52%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lima metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.82% CAGR derived from 5-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $34,388 – $36,836 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,836 – $41,513 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $41,513 – $45,169 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $45,169 – $54,677 |
EMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual emergency medical technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Emergency Medical Technician Job Market in Lima
The cost of living index for Lima, Ohio, stands at 90.7, indicating that living expenses are below the national average, which may offset some of the salary disparities faced by EMTs in the region. However, for professionals in this field, understanding which employers pay the most is essential for maximizing earnings. Municipal fire departments tend to offer higher compensation than private ambulance services, reflecting the advantages of union contracts and benefits associated with firefighter-EMT roles. Industrial and oil-field medic positions can offer even more lucrative wages, appealing to those considering the EMT-to-paramedic bridge. Factors such as shift differentials and overtime can further influence earnings in Lima's emergency medical technician pay landscape. For those aiming to enhance their income, pursuing advanced certifications and seeking out employment in higher-paying sectors may prove beneficial, particularly given the projected growth rate of 5.82% in the local job market.
More salary data for Lima, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can emergency medical technicians make $100K in Lima?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $39,230 for emergency medical techniciansin the Lima metropolitan area. A 5.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lima is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.82%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for emergency medical technicians (SOC 29-2042).
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