Average salary in Ohio

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? 

Average salary in Ohio by city

City living is often more expensive than living in more rural areas, but it’s also where the money is. The highest paying counties also tend to be located in and around the major metropolitan areas such as Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati. 

Average earnings by city—or any other geographical metric—is just one way of calculating wealth, and certainly shouldn’t be the only way you look at your own earning potential in a given place. It doesn’t take into account the type of jobs that people do to earn above or below this average bracket, and omits any consideration for the number of people living in a household. However, it’s certainly one way of establishing which place offers good earning opportunities.  

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.  

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:  

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.  

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.  

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