Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Lorain, OH: $42,656 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Lorain, OH earns a median $42,656/year (≈ $20.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Lorain's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $47,030 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% above the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lorain, OH, the projected median annual emergency medical technician salary is $42,656 for 2026, which is significantly lower than the national median of $47,058. Emergency medical technicians in this region earn between $31,332 at the lower end of the spectrum and approximately $58,507 for those at the upper percentile. These salary figures, sourced from estimates based on 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, highlight the pay gap between EMTs working for municipal fire departments and those employed by private ambulance companies. In Lorain, for instance, cross-trained firefighters generally command higher wages compared to their counterparts in private services, reflecting union negotiations and the differences in funding between public and private sectors.
About the Lorain Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,332 | $15.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,630 | $18.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $42,656 | $20.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47,477 | $22.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58,507 | $28.13 |
Median Salary Position
9.35% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lorain
In Lorain, OH, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,175 (2026 est.). At $42,656, the local median is 9.35% below the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lorain: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lorain Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Lorain median: $42,656/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lorain Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $42,192 | +1.10% more |
| National Average | $47,058 | -9.35% less |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Lorain, OH earn a median of $42,656 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.35% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 1.10% above the Ohio state average of $42,192.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lorain 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.
Lorain, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A emergency medical technician earning $42,656 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $47,030 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$32,152
2025 BLS Actual
$40,310
2026 Current Est.
$42,656
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Lorain (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $32,152 | Actual |
| 2022 | $33,249 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,288 | Actual |
| 2024 | $34,838 | Actual |
| 2025 | $40,310 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,656 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,139 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lorain metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $32,152 (2021) to $40,310 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,139 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,987 (40.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lorain 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) | $31,332 – $37,630 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,630 – $42,656 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $42,656 – $47,477 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $47,477 – $58,507 |
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 Lorain
With only 12 emergency medical technicians employed in Lorain, the local job market remains competitive yet limited. The cost-of-living index for the area is 90.7, suggesting that housing and general expenses are below the national average, which can augment take-home pay. Among various employers, municipal fire departments tend to provide the most lucrative positions, often bolstered by shift differentials, overtime opportunities, and the possibility of advancing to paramedic roles. This precarious balance means that private ambulance services, often linked to lower pay rates, struggle to attract talent in a market where skills are essential. Prospective EMTs in Lorain can enhance their salary potential by pursuing advanced certifications or gaining experience in higher-paying sectors such as oil-field medicine or hospital-based transport services. Dividing their focus between public service and private enterprise will better equip EMTs to maximize their earnings in this evolving landscape.
More salary data for Lorain, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $40,310 for emergency medical techniciansin the Lorain 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 Lorain 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