Independent salary reference. Not affiliated with BLS, IBEW, NECA, or any electrical contractor. All wage figures cite the source; individual earnings vary by employer, certifications, and market.
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BLS OES May 2024

Electrician Salary in Ohio 2026

Updated 17 April 2026

$55,800/yr average · $26.83/hr

State Median

$56k

vs. National

$6k

Top 10%

$88k

COL-Adjusted

$62k

Where Ohio Ranks

Ohio ranks #23 nationally for electrician median wages. The national median is $61,590 (BLS OES May 2024). Ohio pays $5,790 below the national average.

Ohio's cost-of-living index is 90 (MERIC 2026, where 100 = US average). After adjustment, the purchasing power of an electrician's salary here is equivalent to $62,000/yr in national-average dollar terms. The below-average cost of living means electricians here retain more purchasing power than the nominal wage suggests.

Pay by Metro Area

BLS OES May 2024 MSA-level data. Top 5 metropolitan areas in Ohio.

Metro AreaMedian Annualvs. State Avg
Columbus Metro$58,400++2.6k
Cleveland Metro$60,400++4.6k
Cincinnati Metro$56,800++1.0k
Akron$54,400-1.4k
Dayton$52,400-3.4k

Pay by Experience Level

LevelHourlyAnnual
Apprentice (Year 1)$15 - $19/hr$31,000 - $40,000
Apprentice (Year 4)$21 - $27/hr$44,000 - $56,000
Journeyman (Employee)$27 - $38/hr$56,000 - $79,000
Master Electrician (Employee)$34 - $46/hr$71,000 - $96,000
Self-Employed Contractor$70 - $130/hr billed$65,000 - $180,000 net

Ohio Licensing Requirements

Licensing AuthorityOhio State Fire Marshal (SFMO) issues Electrical Contractor license; some cities issue Journeyman licenses separately
Journeyman RequirementOhio has no statewide journeyman license. Some municipalities (Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati) issue local journeyman licenses. Most require 4 years (8,000 hours) OJT.
Master RequirementOhio issues a statewide Electrical Contractor license (not titled 'master') through SFMO: requires 4 years journeyman experience + passing exam + general liability insurance
Fee$150 exam fee (SFMO) for Electrical Contractor license
ReciprocityLimited; verify with SFMO on a case-by-case basis

See full 50-state licensing matrix at electriciansalary.com/licensing

Union Presence in Ohio

IBEW Locals: IBEW Local 683 (Columbus), Local 38 (Cleveland), Local 212 (Cincinnati), Local 82 (Dayton)

Union share: approximately 22% of electricians in Ohio are union.

Union electricians in Ohio typically earn 20-35% more in total compensation than non-union electricians, when wages, health insurance, pension, and annuity are included.

Full IBEW wage scale breakdown and union vs non-union analysis

Job Outlook in Ohio

Ohio is experiencing a significant manufacturing renaissance tied to semiconductor and battery production. Intel's $20 billion fab campus near Columbus (New Albany) is one of the largest construction projects in US history and requires thousands of electricians for the build phase. Honda EV battery plant in Marysville adds to industrial electrical demand.

Major Employers in Ohio

IBEW Local 683 contractorsFirstEnergyDayton Power & Light (AES Ohio)Turner Construction electrical subsIEC Ohio members

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do electricians make in Ohio?
Electricians in Ohio earn $55,800/yr ($26.83/hr) on average per BLS OES May 2024. Apprentices start at around $35,200/yr. Top-earning master electricians and self-employed contractors can exceed $88,400/yr.
How does Ohio rank for electrician pay?
Ohio ranks #23 nationally for electrician median wages. After cost-of-living adjustment (MERIC index 90), the real purchasing power is $62,000/yr.
Do I need a license to work as an electrician in Ohio?
Ohio has no statewide journeyman license. Some municipalities (Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati) issue local journeyman licenses. Most require 4 years (8,000 hours) OJT.. For master level: Ohio issues a statewide Electrical Contractor license (not titled 'master') through SFMO: requires 4 years journeyman experience + passing exam + general liability insurance.
Are union electricians better paid in Ohio?
Yes. IBEW Local 683 (Columbus), Local 38 (Cleveland), Local 212 (Cincinnati), Local 82 (Dayton) operate in Ohio, with approximately 22% of electricians in Ohio are union. Union electricians earn 20-35% more in total compensation when wages, health insurance, pension, and annuity are included.
What is the job outlook for electricians in Ohio?
Ohio is experiencing a significant manufacturing renaissance tied to semiconductor and battery production. Intel's $20 billion fab campus near Columbus (New Albany) is one of the largest construction projects in US history and requires thousands of electricians for the build phase. Honda EV battery plant in Marysville adds to industrial electrical demand.

Related Pages

All StatesLicensing RequirementsJourneyman SalaryMaster Electrician SalaryUnion vs Non-Union

Source: BLS OES May 2024 (47-2111), MERIC 2026 COL Index, IBEW local agreements 2025-2026.