Highest-paying trades in Ohio
Updated September 27, 2026
Elevator and escalator installers and repairers are the highest-paying skilled trade in Ohio, with a median of $105,020 a year, according to May 2025 BLS data. 60 of the 83 trades ranked here pay more than the $49,380 median for all jobs in Ohio.
All 83 trades by median pay in Ohio
| # | Trade | Median a year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elevator and escalator installers and repairers690 jobs · −4% vs U.S. | $105,020$50.49/hr |
| 2 | Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay1,120 jobs · −4% vs U.S. | $98,700$47.45/hr |
| 3 | Electrical power-line installers and repairers4,260 jobs · −2% vs U.S. | $93,150$44.78/hr |
| 4 | Boilermakers300 jobs · +12% vs U.S. | $85,550$41.13/hr |
| 5 | Camera and photographic equipment repairers80 jobs · +61% vs U.S. | $85,070$40.90/hr |
| 6 | Aircraft mechanics and service technicians2,840 jobs · +1% vs U.S. | $80,570$38.74/hr |
| 7 | Precision instrument and equipment repairers, all other410 jobs · +16% vs U.S. | $80,200$38.56/hr |
| 8 | Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door1,230 jobs · +3% vs U.S. | $76,920$36.98/hr |
| 9 | Electrical and electronics installers and repairers, transportation equipment60 jobs · −11% vs U.S. | $75,810$36.45/hr |
| 10 | Sheet metal workers4,180 jobs · +21% vs U.S. | $74,790$35.96/hr |
| 11 | Structural iron and steel workers2,290 jobs · +19% vs U.S. | $74,710$35.92/hr |
| 12 | Construction and building inspectors3,490 jobs · 0% vs U.S. | $74,490$35.81/hr |
| 13 | Wind turbine service technicians120 jobs · +15% vs U.S. | $73,880$35.52/hr |
| 14 | Tapers110 jobs · +8% vs U.S. | $73,840$35.50/hr |
| 15 | Millwrights1,930 jobs · +11% vs U.S. | $73,220$35.20/hr |
| 16 | Radio, cellular, and tower equipment installers and repairers370 jobs · +14% vs U.S. | $72,160$34.69/hr |
| 17 | Pipelayers1,160 jobs · +46% vs U.S. | $71,560$34.41/hr |
| 18 | Brickmasons and blockmasons2,770 jobs · +14% vs U.S. | $70,950$34.11/hr |
| 19 | Insulation workers, mechanical990 jobs · +16% vs U.S. | $67,600$32.50/hr |
| 20 | Industrial machinery mechanics21,950 jobs · +1% vs U.S. | $65,130$31.31/hr |
| 21 | Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators16,920 jobs · +9% vs U.S. | $64,940$31.22/hr |
| 22 | Electricians28,950 jobs · +2% vs U.S. | $64,700$31.11/hr |
| 23 | Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters16,390 jobs · −1% vs U.S. | $63,330$30.45/hr |
| 24 | Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines6,270 jobs · −4% vs U.S. | $63,200$30.39/hr |
| 25 | Cement masons and concrete finishers6,060 jobs · +10% vs U.S. | $62,990$30.28/hr |
| 26 | Telecommunications line installers and repairers3,920 jobs · −15% vs U.S. | $62,860$30.22/hr |
| 27 | Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers14,150 jobs · +2% vs U.S. | $62,510$30.06/hr |
| 28 | Solar photovoltaic installers70 jobs · +17% vs U.S. | $62,400$30.00/hr |
| 29 | Electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment1,510 jobs · −16% vs U.S. | $62,310$29.96/hr |
| 30 | Plasterers and stucco masons180 jobs · +8% vs U.S. | $62,200$29.90/hr |
| 31 | Security and fire alarm systems installers2,440 jobs · +3% vs U.S. | $61,860$29.74/hr |
| 32 | Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers3,560 jobs · −3% vs U.S. | $61,680$29.65/hr |
| 33 | Drywall and ceiling tile installers1,680 jobs · +4% vs U.S. | $61,420$29.53/hr |
| 34 | Carpenters18,450 jobs · 0% vs U.S. | $60,810$29.24/hr |
| 35 | Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists14,240 jobs · −2% vs U.S. | $60,470$29.07/hr |
| 36 | Paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators2,370 jobs · +13% vs U.S. | $60,280$28.98/hr |
| 37 | Glaziers1,670 jobs · +5% vs U.S. | $60,200$28.94/hr |
| 38 | Avionics technicians160 jobs · −27% vs U.S. | $60,080$28.89/hr |
| 39 | Floor layers, except carpet, wood, and hard tiles850 jobs · +5% vs U.S. | $59,470$28.59/hr |
| 40 | Maintenance workers, machinery2,330 jobs · −3% vs U.S. | $59,280$28.50/hr |
| 41 | Signal and track switch repairers150 jobs · −36% vs U.S. | $58,840$28.29/hr |
| 42 | Refractory materials repairers, except brickmasons250 jobs · −5% vs U.S. | $58,470$28.11/hr |
| 43 | Insulation workers, floor, ceiling, and wall870 jobs · +19% vs U.S. | $58,400$28.08/hr |
| 44 | Riggers290 jobs · −7% vs U.S. | $58,380$28.07/hr |
| 45 | Mechanical door repairers1,190 jobs · +5% vs U.S. | $58,250$28.00/hr |
| 46 | Medical equipment repairers3,520 jobs · −7% vs U.S. | $57,370$27.58/hr |
| 47 | Construction laborers31,910 jobs · +19% vs U.S. | $56,080$26.96/hr |
| 48 | Carpet installers310 jobs · +8% vs U.S. | $54,370$26.14/hr |
| 49 | Recreational vehicle service technicians590 jobs · +5% vs U.S. | $54,350$26.13/hr |
| 50 | Miscellaneous construction and related workers1,150 jobs · +8% vs U.S. | $54,020$25.97/hr |
| 51 | Rail car repairers690 jobs · −21% vs U.S. | $53,480$25.71/hr |
| 52 | Maintenance and repair workers, general64,770 jobs · +8% vs U.S. | $53,420$25.68/hr |
| 53 | Farm equipment mechanics and service technicians1,300 jobs · −6% vs U.S. | $53,400$25.67/hr |
| 54 | Motorboat mechanics and service technicians400 jobs · −9% vs U.S. | $52,450$25.21/hr |
| 55 | Electric motor, power tool, and related repairers550 jobs · −7% vs U.S. | $52,350$25.17/hr |
| 56 | Septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners1,000 jobs · +2% vs U.S. | $50,750$24.40/hr |
| 57 | Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers20,330 jobs · −6% vs U.S. | $50,340$24.20/hr |
| 58 | Automotive glass installers and repairers860 jobs · +5% vs U.S. | $50,090$24.08/hr |
| 59 | Painters, construction and maintenance5,600 jobs · 0% vs U.S. | $49,450$23.77/hr |
| 60 | Roofers4,610 jobs · −11% vs U.S. | $49,390$23.74/hr |
| 61 | Automotive body and related repairers5,950 jobs · −11% vs U.S. | $49,080$23.60/hr |
| 62 | Highway maintenance workers6,070 jobs · −3% vs U.S. | $48,880$23.50/hr |
| 63 | Stonemasons150 jobs · −15% vs U.S. | $48,820$23.47/hr |
| 64 | Automotive service technicians and mechanics22,640 jobs · −4% vs U.S. | $48,710$23.42/hr |
| 65 | Audiovisual equipment installers and repairers190 jobs · −8% vs U.S. | $48,130$23.14/hr |
| 66 | Floor sanders and finishers−5% vs U.S. | $48,000$23.08/hr |
| 67 | Rail-Track laying and maintenance equipment operators1,130 jobs · −32% vs U.S. | $47,980$23.07/hr |
| 68 | Fence erectors950 jobs · 0% vs U.S. | $47,870$23.02/hr |
| 69 | Paperhangers70 jobs · −8% vs U.S. | $47,830$23.00/hr |
| 70 | Locksmiths and safe repairers400 jobs · −7% vs U.S. | $47,760$22.96/hr |
| 71 | Computer, automated teller, and office machine repairers2,040 jobs · 0% vs U.S. | $47,740$22.95/hr |
| 72 | Installation, maintenance, and repair workers, all other3,620 jobs · −3% vs U.S. | $47,550$22.86/hr |
| 73 | Home appliance repairers730 jobs · −7% vs U.S. | $47,300$22.74/hr |
| 74 | Manufactured building and mobile home installers50 jobs · +2% vs U.S. | $46,730$22.47/hr |
| 75 | Hazardous materials removal workers830 jobs · −6% vs U.S. | $46,620$22.41/hr |
| 76 | Tile and stone setters670 jobs · −17% vs U.S. | $46,140$22.18/hr |
| 77 | Outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics1,480 jobs · −4% vs U.S. | $46,110$22.17/hr |
| 78 | Electronic equipment installers and repairers, motor vehicles230 jobs · −7% vs U.S. | $45,120$21.69/hr |
| 79 | Motorcycle mechanics520 jobs · −9% vs U.S. | $44,280$21.29/hr |
| 80 | Tire repairers and changers3,530 jobs · +11% vs U.S. | $41,760$20.08/hr |
| 81 | Musical instrument repairers and tuners230 jobs · −14% vs U.S. | $39,900$19.19/hr |
| 82 | Coin, vending, and amusement machine servicers and repairers1,450 jobs · −20% vs U.S. | $37,950$18.25/hr |
| 83 | Bicycle repairers140 jobs · −21% vs U.S. | $33,640$16.17/hr |
Linked trades have full Ohio pay pages, with pay in each metro area. See also: highest-paying trades in the U.S.
How we ranked them
Ranked by median annual wage in Ohio, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics state estimates, May 2025. “vs U.S.” compares each trade with its own national median. Which occupations count as trades: Construction occupations and installation, maintenance, and repair occupations (BLS major groups 47 and 49), plus welders, excluding first-line supervisors, helpers, and mining and oil-and-gas extraction occupations. BLS doesn't publish a Ohio median for 5 of the 88 trades in the national ranking, usually because too few people do that work there to estimate; they're left out. Wages exclude self-employed workers. Methodology
Questions
- What is the highest-paying trade in Ohio?
- Elevator and escalator installers and repairers, with a median of $105,020 a year ($50.49 an hour) in Ohio, per May 2025 BLS data.
- Which trades pay over $100,000 in Ohio?
- One trade has a median of $100,000 or more in Ohio: elevator and escalator installers and repairers ($105,020).
- How many trades pay more than the typical job in Ohio?
- 60 of the 83 trades ranked here have a median above $49,380, the median for all occupations in Ohio.
- Do trades pay more in Ohio than in the rest of the U.S.?
- 37 of the 83 trades have a higher median in Ohio than nationally. The biggest gap is camera and photographic equipment repairers: $85,070, 61% above the U.S. median of $52,720.
- Which trade employs the most people in Ohio?
- Maintenance and repair workers, general, with about 64,770 jobs and a median of $53,420 a year.