Highest-paying and most in-demand trades in Ohio
29 trades ranked by median hourly wage, with the range, the rank among states, the union scale and the state's own projection of which trades are growing.
Every trade in Ohio, ranked by median pay
| # | Trade | Median $/hr | Median $/yr | 90th pct $/hr | Jobs | State rank | 10-yr real change | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elevator mechanic | $50.49 | $105,020 | $59.36 | 690 | 22nd of 37 | -6.5% | 4% below |
| 2 | Construction manager | $49.03 | $101,980 | $77.60 | 16,130 | 41st of 51 | -11.7% | 11% below |
| 3 | Lineman | $44.78 | $93,150 | $53.73 | 4,260 | 32nd of 51 | +2.3% | 2% below |
| 4 | Boilermaker | $41.13 | $85,550 | $50.69 | 300 | 13th of 37 | +8.6% | 12% above |
| 5 | Construction supervisor | $38.26 | $79,580 | $51.47 | 23,640 | 25th of 51 | -1.9% | about the same as |
| 6 | Sheet metal worker | $35.96 | $74,790 | $45.31 | 4,180 | 10th of 50 | +22.5% | 21% above |
| 7 | Ironworker | $35.92 | $74,710 | $42.72 | 2,290 | 17th of 50 | -5.2% | 19% above |
| 8 | Wind turbine technician | $35.52 | $73,880 | $45.70 | 120 | 8th of 25 | — | 15% above |
| 9 | Millwright | $35.20 | $73,220 | $44.12 | 1,930 | 15th of 48 | -13.7% | 11% above |
| 10 | Brickmason | $34.11 | $70,950 | $40.29 | 2,770 | 14th of 50 | +1.1% | 14% above |
| 11 | Heavy equipment operator | $31.22 | $64,940 | $47.17 | 16,920 | 16th of 51 | -2.2% | 8% above |
| 12 | Electrician | $31.11 | $64,700 | $47.73 | 28,950 | 27th of 51 | -4.1% | 2% above |
| 13 | Plumber | $30.45 | $63,330 | $48.75 | 16,390 | 29th of 51 | -10.0% | 1% below |
| 14 | Cement mason | $30.28 | $62,990 | $39.10 | 6,060 | 10th of 51 | +12.8% | 10% above |
| 15 | HVAC technician | $30.06 | $62,510 | $47.26 | 14,150 | 19th of 51 | +4.2% | 2% above |
| 16 | Solar installer | $30.00 | $62,400 | $33.73 | 70 | 5th of 32 | +22.0% | 17% above |
| 17 | Plasterer | $29.90 | $62,200 | $33.04 | 180 | 12th of 28 | +10.9% | 8% above |
| 18 | Drywall installer | $29.53 | $61,420 | $35.77 | 1,680 | 12th of 49 | +25.2% | 4% above |
| 19 | Carpenter | $29.24 | $60,810 | $39.01 | 18,450 | 24th of 51 | +2.3% | about the same as |
| 20 | Diesel mechanic | $29.07 | $60,470 | $37.56 | 14,240 | 31st of 51 | +1.3% | 2% below |
| 21 | Glazier | $28.94 | $60,200 | $35.94 | 1,670 | 19th of 50 | +2.4% | 5% above |
| 22 | Insulation worker | $28.08 | $58,400 | $38.47 | 870 | 7th of 48 | — | 19% above |
| 23 | Machinist | $27.86 | $57,940 | $36.79 | 17,110 | 32nd of 51 | +7.6% | 1% below |
| 24 | Crane operator | $27.70 | $57,620 | $47.37 | 1,780 | 46th of 50 | +12.4% | 15% below |
| 25 | Construction laborer | $26.96 | $56,080 | $38.04 | 31,910 | 13th of 51 | +12.4% | 19% above |
| 26 | Welder | $24.20 | $50,340 | $33.90 | 20,330 | 40th of 51 | +2.0% | 6% below |
| 27 | Painter | $23.77 | $49,450 | $35.77 | 5,600 | 26th of 51 | -2.2% | about the same as |
| 28 | Roofer | $23.74 | $49,390 | $36.22 | 4,610 | 29th of 51 | -2.1% | 11% below |
| 29 | Tile setter | $22.18 | $46,140 | $34.64 | 670 | 36th of 47 | -30.7% | 17% below |
Most in-demand trades in Ohio
By the Ohio labor market agency's 2024–2034 projections, the fastest-growing trades are wind turbine technicians (+68.0%), tile setters (+8.0%), electricians (+7.8%). The most openings a year, counting replacements as well as growth, come from construction laborers (3,540 a year), electricians (2,920 a year), welders (2,050 a year). The largest specialty-contractor group in the state is building equipment contractors (electrical, plumbing, HVAC), with 92,565 jobs (2025 annual average, QCEW).
| Trade | Projected change 2024–2034 | Openings a year | Jobs in 2024 | Median $/hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wind turbine technician | +68.0% | 20 | 100 | $35.52 |
| Tile setter | +8.0% | 80 | 980 | $22.18 |
| Electrician | +7.8% | 2,920 | 30,220 | $31.11 |
| HVAC technician | +7.4% | 1,360 | 14,620 | $30.06 |
| Lineman | +6.5% | 400 | 4,770 | $44.78 |
| Construction manager | +5.5% | 1,880 | 23,270 | $49.03 |
| Elevator mechanic | +5.3% | 10 | 150 | $50.49 |
| Construction laborer | +4.9% | 3,540 | 41,380 | $26.96 |
| Roofer | +4.4% | 380 | 5,090 | $23.74 |
| Ironworker | +4.2% | 160 | 1,940 | $35.92 |
| Construction supervisor | +3.8% | 2,030 | 25,760 | $38.26 |
| Insulation worker | +3.4% | 110 | 1,340 | $28.08 |
| Plumber | +3.1% | 1,380 | 16,140 | $30.45 |
| Glazier | +2.8% | 130 | 1,610 | $28.94 |
| Plasterer | +2.6% | 20 | 200 | $29.90 |
| Heavy equipment operator | +2.5% | 1,410 | 16,800 | $31.22 |
| Drywall installer | +2.5% | 110 | 1,530 | $29.53 |
| Carpenter | +1.8% | 1,730 | 23,540 | $29.24 |
| Cement mason | +1.6% | 400 | 5,800 | $30.28 |
| Sheet metal worker | +1.3% | 480 | 5,820 | $35.96 |
| Diesel mechanic | +1.2% | 1,240 | 15,290 | $29.07 |
| Painter | +1.1% | 710 | 9,060 | $23.77 |
| Brickmason | +0.9% | 280 | 3,920 | $34.11 |
| Welder | 0.0% | 2,050 | 21,260 | $24.20 |
| Crane operator | -0.6% | 180 | 2,180 | $27.70 |
| Millwright | -2.3% | 160 | 1,940 | $35.20 |
| Machinist | -2.3% | 1,340 | 14,100 | $27.86 |
| Boilermaker | -5.1% | 20 | 220 | $41.13 |
Source: Ohio long-term occupational projections via Projections Central; state counts include the self-employed. Projections, not guarantees; see each trade page for the national BLS outlook.
Construction jobs in Ohio
Prevailing wage in Ohio
Davis-Bacon determinations set the minimum wage package on federally funded construction. In Ohio, 74 of 88 counties with a Building rate for electricians use a union contract rate (typical package $69.93/hr including fringe). Look up any county and trade.
Metros in Ohio
Questions this page answers
What is the highest-paying trade in Ohio?
Elevator and escalator installers and repairers had the highest median wage among the trades tracked here at $50.49 an hour in May 2025, followed by construction managers ($49.03) and linemen ($44.78).
Which trades are in highest demand in Ohio?
By projected growth between 2024 and 2034, wind turbine technicians (+68.0%), tile setters (+8.0%), electricians (+7.8%). By openings a year, construction laborers (3,540 a year), electricians (2,920 a year), welders (2,050 a year). The figures come from Ohio's labor market agency via Projections Central and count replacement openings as well as new jobs.
How does Ohio compare with the rest of the country?
Across the 29 trades listed, 18 pay above the national median in Ohio and 11 pay below it. The state's cost of living is 92.8% of the US average (BEA).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Ohio.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics through 2026-09.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).