How Much Does an EMT Make in Cleveland, OH in 2026?
Typical pay for EMTs in Cleveland, from federal wage data (May 2025), with the ten-year trend and how the city compares across Ohio.
BLS OES May 2025 · Cleveland metro area
A typical EMT in Cleveland, Ohio earns $21.39 per hour, or $44,480 per year, according to the latest government wage data for the area (May 2025). Calculated from the annual figure, that is roughly $3,707 a month. Entry-level positions typically offer around $37,260, and the top 10% of earners make over $58,330.
That pay is 11% above the Ohio figure of $40,220 and right at the national figure of $44,470. Cleveland ranks 1st of 11 metro areas in Ohio for EMT pay. About 970 EMTs work in the Cleveland area.
EMT pay in Cleveland at a glance
- Typical pay is $21.39 an hour, or $44,480 a year.
- That is 11% above the Ohio figure, ranking 1st of 11 metro areas in the state.
- Entry-level positions typically offer around $37,260; the top 10% make over $58,330.
BLS OES May 2025
How much does an EMT make in Cleveland?
Pay in Cleveland runs from entry-level positions at around $17.91 an hour to more than $28.05 for the top 10% of earners. The table sets each career stage against the Ohio and national figures.
EMT pay by career stage in Cleveland
| Career stage | Cleveland | Ohio | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $37,260$17.91 an hour | $34,940$16.80 an hour | $34,130$16.41 an hour |
| First years | $38,850$18.68 an hour | $37,580$18.07 an hour | $37,960$18.25 an hour |
| Typical EMT | $44,480$21.39 an hour | $40,220$19.34 an hour | $44,470$21.38 an hour |
| Experienced | $48,500$23.32 an hour | $47,490$22.83 an hour | $50,100$24.09 an hour |
| Top 10% | $58,330$28.05 an hour | $53,960$25.94 an hour | $62,500$30.05 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · city figures cover the Cleveland area as BLS defines it
EMT pay growth in Cleveland
Typical (median) annual wage for EMTs in the Cleveland area · BLS OES May estimates, 2021 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
In 2021, typical EMT pay in Cleveland was $31,040 a year. By 2025 it had reached $44,480.
How Cleveland compares with other Ohio cities
Cleveland pays EMTs the most of any metro area in Ohio. The lowest-paying area in the state is Steubenville at $35,250.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Cleveland | EMTs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cleveland | $44,480 | $21.39 | this city | 970 |
| 2 | Massillon metro incl. Canton | $43,270 | $20.80 | -3% | 160 |
| 3 | Akron | $42,440 | $20.40 | -5% | 240 |
| 4 | Columbus | $41,520 | $19.96 | -7% | 760 |
| 5 | Cincinnati | $39,910 | $19.19 | -10% | 750 |
| 6 | Toledo | $39,850 | $19.16 | -10% | 250 |
| 7 | Kettering metro incl. Dayton · Beavercreek | $38,830 | $18.67 | -13% | 360 |
| 8 | Sandusky | $37,880 | $18.21 | -15% | 80 |
| 9 | Youngstown metro incl. Warren | $37,590 | $18.07 | -15% | 180 |
| 10 | Springfield | $35,740 | $17.19 | -20% | 120 |
| 11 | Steubenville | $35,250 | $16.95 | -21% | 70 |
Every metro area in Ohio with EMT wage data · BLS OES May 2025 · Ohio typical pay $40,220
Is Cleveland a good place to work as an EMT?
EMT pay in Cleveland sits close to the national figure: $44,480 a year, right at the national rate. For every 1,000 jobs in the Cleveland area, about 0.9 are EMT positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 1.2. That makes EMTs a smaller part of the local job market than usual, so employers draw from a smaller pool of qualified candidates.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does an EMT make in Cleveland, OH?
- A typical EMT in Cleveland earns $44,480 a year, or $21.39 an hour, according to BLS wage data for May 2025. Entry-level pay runs about $37,260 and the top 10% earn over $58,330.
- How much does an EMT make an hour in Cleveland?
- Typical hourly pay for EMTs in Cleveland is $21.39. Entry-level hourly pay runs about $17.91, and the top 10% earn over $28.05 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for an EMT in Cleveland?
- Entry-level EMT positions in Cleveland typically offer around $17.91 an hour, or $37,260 a year.
- Is EMT pay in Cleveland higher than in the rest of Ohio?
- Cleveland pay is 11% above the Ohio figure of $40,220 a year, ranking 1st of 11 metro areas in the state.