How to Become An Electrician in Ohio
Ohio employs approximately 28,950 electricians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $64,700 1. Nationally, electrician employment is projected to grow 9.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 81,000 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become an electrician in Ohio, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming An Electrician in Ohio
How do I become an electrician in Ohio? Ohio requires credentials such as Electrical Contractor. The licensing authority is the Ohio Department of Commerce - Division of Industrial Compliance 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Ohio? Yes. Ohio has licensing or registration requirements for electricians. The Ohio Department of Commerce - Division of Industrial Compliance oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do electricians earn in Ohio? The median annual wage for electricians in Ohio is $64,700 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $40,750 and experienced professionals can earn $99,280 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Ohio Department of Commerce - Division of Industrial Compliance
- Median wage (Ohio): $64,700 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Electrician License Requirements in Ohio
The Ohio Department of Commerce - Division of Industrial Compliance oversees electrician licensing in Ohio 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Electrical Contractor | Please refer to the licensing authority or the Ohio Career Information System (OCIS) at (800) 700-6247 for more information on license requirements. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Specific type of conviction prohibited
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Electrician Apprenticeship Information in Ohio
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Ohio’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Ohio Office of Apprenticeship 5.
Contact Information:
- Office: Ohio Department of Job and Family Services - ApprenticeOhio
- Phone: (614) 466-6282
- Email: [email protected]
Electrician Wages by Metro Area in Ohio
Electricians Wages by Metro Area in Ohio
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), electricians wages in Ohio vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus | 7,210 | $64,700 | $69,240 | $46,090 | $94,410 |
| Cincinnati | 5,640 | $63,490 | $66,830 | $38,530 | $98,260 |
| Cleveland | 4,420 | $70,860 | $71,210 | $41,090 | $100,330 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek | 1,920 | $61,870 | $65,360 | $38,920 | $98,230 |
| Toledo | 1,660 | $74,710 | $73,290 | $46,080 | $102,000 |
| Akron | 1,360 | $77,360 | $79,720 | $46,360 | $123,170 |
| Huntington-Ashland | 870 | $63,620 | $64,810 | $37,900 | $96,600 |
| Youngstown-Warren | 830 | $59,570 | $61,870 | $36,570 | $90,300 |
| Canton-Massillon | 640 | $61,320 | $62,620 | $37,650 | $80,560 |
| Wheeling | 350 | $66,970 | $67,680 | $44,220 | $95,430 |
| Sandusky | 260 | $64,060 | $67,690 | $42,210 | $102,680 |
| Weirton-Steubenville | 260 | $68,810 | $69,080 | $44,700 | $101,630 |
| Lima | 250 | $75,600 | $71,600 | $39,480 | $95,400 |
| Mansfield | 150 | $59,720 | $61,410 | $39,780 | $78,620 |
| Springfield | 130 | $58,370 | $60,820 | $42,330 | $82,520 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Electricians in Ohio
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest electrician employment within Ohio according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus | 7,210 | $64,700 |
| Cincinnati | 5,640 | $63,490 |
| Cleveland | 4,420 | $70,860 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek | 1,920 | $61,870 |
| Toledo | 1,660 | $74,710 |
Explore electrician programs in Columbus, Cincinnati, and Cleveland.
Federal Prevailing Wage in Ohio
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, electricians working on federally funded construction projects in Ohio earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent Ohio general wage determinations show approximately $42.55 per hour in base pay plus $5.25 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $47.80 (Source: DOL Wage and Hour Division, Davis-Bacon wage determinations, 2026) 6.
Prevailing wages apply to federal construction contracts above the Davis-Bacon threshold and may differ from typical private-sector pay reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Rates also vary by county and by classification within electrician work.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for electricians in Ohio? Ohio currently employs approximately 28,950 electricians 1. Nationally, electrician employment is projected to grow 9.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as an electrician in Ohio with an out-of-state license? Contact the Ohio Department of Commerce - Division of Industrial Compliance for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Ohio? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Ohio. You can also contact the Ohio Office of Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do electricians earn in Ohio compared to the national average? The median annual wage for electricians in Ohio is $64,700, which is $2,350 above the national median of $62,350 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Ohio Department of Commerce - Division of Industrial Compliance - Licensing Information: https://www.com.ohio.gov/divisions-and-programs/industrial-compliance ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Ohio Office of Apprenticeship: http://jfs.ohio.gov/apprenticeship/Apprenticeship-Opportunities.stm ↩︎
U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division - Davis-Bacon General Wage Determinations: https://sam.gov/wage-determinations ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |