Average salary in Ohio

4 mins readLast updated April 19, 2023by Kate Morgan

The Buckeye State of Ohio offers a diverse range of economic opportunities, with different regions offering varying salaries. Whether you are considering moving to Ohio or already live there, it is helpful to understand the financial landscape of the state.

Ohio has a lower cost of living compared to California and other expensive states. According to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, Ohio ranks 12th for the cost of living. This means that salaries in Ohio tend to be lower than in some other states, but they also tend to go further. But which cities and counties offer the highest average salaries? 

The US Census Bureau’s latest American Community Survey has calculated the average earnings for the largest cities in Ohio, which you can find ranked below.  

CityAverage earnings
Columbus $60,850
Cincinnati $54,722
Cleveland $43,529
Toledo $43,148
Akron $43,070
Dayton $41,489
Parma $40,358
Canton $37,786
Youngstown $36,786
Lorain $36,166

Average salary in Ohio by county

Reviewing average salaries in Ohio by city is not necessarily an adequate metric for average salaries across the state, since it’s entirely urban focused. A good idea is to weigh these figures up against the average salary in Ohio by county, as this will take areas outside the main cities into account and offer a broader idea of salary ranges.  

Ohio is home to a high number of counties, and salaries can vary significantly depending on where you live. The same survey from the US Census Bureau gives further insight this way, with the average household income calculated for each county, the largest of which are:  

County Average household income
Delaware County $126,588
Geauga County $97,929
Greene County $83,739
Fairfield County $82,707
Medina County $82,014
Butler County $79,645
Lake County $78,823
Clermont County $76,183
Franklin County $73,822
Licking County $71,969

Highest paying jobs in Ohio

There’s another weighty factor that will influence how much you earn if you live in Ohio: your job type. Average salaries for various sectors and job roles can vary massively across the state, so it’s absolutely something to consider when looking at salaries by location.  

Zippia has calculated a comprehensive list of annual salaries by job title. You can also find the top 10 highest-paying titles in Ohio below.  

Occupation Average salary
Finance Services Director $219,565
Chief Medical Officer $208,748
Vice President, Field Operations $195,327
Primary Care Pediatrician $194,309
Vice President, Corporate Development $193,278
Staff Physician $188,561
Executive Vice President Marketing $187,849
Chief Administrative Officer $187,672
Hospitalist Medical Director $185,090
Vice President, Products & Marketing $184,929

Frequently asked questions about salaries in Ohio

What is the average salary in Ohio by age? 

Alongside location and occupation, salaries in Ohio are also dependent on age, since more senior workers will be paid more. Then, when they retire, their income will dip again as they will rely on pensions and other forms of set income.  

The Census Bureau data finds that householders under 25 have a median household income of $39,257; householders aged 24 to 44 years old have a median income of $68,999; those aged 45 to 64 years old have a median income of $76,874; and those 65 and older have a median income of $49,753.  

What is a ‘good’ salary in Ohio? 

The median income in Ohio is $56,111. Defining a ‘good’ salary depends on various factors such as personal lifestyle, family size, and location. It is important to consider the cost of living and other expenses to determine an adequate salary. 

What is the average salary in Ohio by hour? 

If Americans work an average of 1,801 hours per year—at 37.5 hours a week—then the average hourly salary in Ohio is $31.12.  

Getting expert advice before you make significant financial decisions can really benefit you in the long term. Protect your financial future and speak to one of our financial advisors today.  

Content writer

Kate Morgan

Kate has written for leading publications and blue chip companies over the last 20 years.