Highest-Paying Trades in Ohio 2026

50 skilled trades tracked in Ohio metro areas. The top-paying trade is Construction Manager at $102,530 median salary. Data from BLS OEWS (2025).

#	Trade	Median Salary	Cities	Avg Score
1	Construction Manager	$102,530	1	83
2	Elevator Mechanic	$95,477	1	89
3	Power Line Installer	$85,011	1	90
4	Electrical Power-Line Tech	$76,845	1	88
5	Underwater Welder	$75,057	1	67
6	Pile Driver Operator	$71,134	1	64
7	Steamfitter	$67,335	1	68
8	Crane Operator	$65,644	1	73
9	Wind Turbine Technician	$64,066	1	93
10	Millwright	$63,791	1	68
11	Aircraft Mechanic	$63,513	1	68
12	Building Inspector	$61,666	1	61
13	Pipefitter	$61,481	1	71
14	Telecommunications Tech	$61,271	1	70
15	Boilermaker	$60,660	1	57
16	Ironworker	$59,476	1	65
17	Plumber	$59,380	1	74
18	HVAC Technician	$58,962	1	80
19	Fire Sprinkler Fitter	$58,563	1	72
20	Electrician	$57,704	1	74
21	Industrial Electrician	$56,638	1	72
22	Industrial Machinery Mechanic	$55,859	1	69
23	Tool and Die Maker	$55,374	1	50
24	Heavy Equipment Operator	$54,011	1	61
25	Structural Welder	$52,871	1	61
26	Diesel Mechanic	$52,810	1	62
27	Refrigeration Mechanic	$52,671	1	70
28	Environmental Engineering Tech	$52,146	1	67
29	Carpenter	$52,139	1	57
30	Sheet Metal Worker	$50,957	1	56
31	Drywall Installer	$50,891	1	50
32	Mason (Bricklayer)	$49,023	1	51
33	Well Driller	$48,402	1	49
34	Plasterer	$48,066	1	44
35	Tile Setter	$47,292	1	49
36	Welder	$46,818	1	57
37	Locksmith	$46,413	1	45
38	Roofer	$46,266	1	52
39	Glazier	$45,419	1	51
40	Concrete Finisher	$45,417	1	52
41	Insulation Worker	$44,808	1	55
42	Machinist	$43,891	1	51
43	Floor Layer	$43,757	1	47
44	Solar PV Installer	$43,179	1	78
45	Auto Mechanic	$43,074	1	44
46	Septic Tank Servicer	$42,838	1	44
47	Maintenance Mechanic	$42,785	1	52
48	Painter (Construction)	$42,512	1	41
49	CNC Machine Operator	$40,527	1	45
50	Scaffold Builder	$37,996	1	43

Skilled trade wage data for Ohio is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program.
— BLS OEWS (2025)

Frequently Asked Questions

Construction Manager is the highest-paying skilled trade in Ohio with a median salary of $102,530 across 1 metro areas.

We track 50 skilled trades across metro areas in Ohio using Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data.

The Trade Pay Score (0-100, A-F) rates each trade-city combination on median wage vs. household income (30%), 5-year wage growth (25%), job demand (25%), and cost-of-living adjusted pay (20%).

Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS

Trades ranked by median salary across metro areas in the state. Trade Pay Score: wage vs. household income (30%), 5-year growth (25%), job demand (25%), COL-adjusted pay (20%).

Best-Paying Trades Nationwide →All Trade Data for Ohio →