OHIO CAREER DATA PROFILE

Electrician Career Guide in Ohio

Explore electrician salary, licensing requirements, training pathways, apprenticeships, job outlook, and career opportunities in Ohio.

Last reviewed Reviewed by Career In Trades Editorial Team

Electrician in Ohio Snapshot
Median Salary $63,560
Hourly Wage $30.56
Job Growth +5% (2022–2032)
License Requirements Vary

How to Become an Electrician in Ohio

Common Ohio pathways include registered apprenticeships, union and contractor-sponsored programs, and technical education. Apprenticeships commonly combine four to five years of paid, supervised electrical work with related classroom instruction. Electricians who later intend to operate as commercial electrical contractors must separately meet OCILB examination, experience, and licensing requirements.

Note: Training pathways vary by employer, program sponsor, and licensing category. Classroom education may provide useful technical preparation, but it does not automatically replace supervised work experience unless the applicable licensing authority specifically allows that credit.

Electrician Salary in Ohio

The salary figure shown on this page represents the Ohio median wage for electrician workers, based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational wage data. A median wage is the point at which half of workers earn more and half earn less. It is not a guaranteed starting salary.

Actual earnings may vary by experience, license level, metropolitan area, employer, industry, overtime, and union agreement.

Ohio Median $63,560
Hourly Wage $30.56
National Median $62,350

Compared with the national median of $62,350, the median wage in Ohio is approximately $1,210 higher. This comparison does not account for differences in cost of living.

OFFICIAL REGULATORY SOURCE

Licensing Authority for Electricians in Ohio

Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB)

Official Website: https://com.ohio.gov/divisions-and-programs/industrial-compliance/boards/ohio-construction-industry-licensing-board

License Types:

  • Electrical Contractor License
  • Local Electrician Registration or Credential, where required
  • Local Residential Electrical Contractor Registration, where required

Authority Notes:

The Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board licenses qualifying commercial electrical contractors. The state contractor license applies to persons or contracting companies that offer or assume responsibility for covered commercial electrical contracting work. Individual employees and residential or local work may be subject to different municipal requirements.

Note: Licensing rules, fees, examinations, exemptions, and renewal requirements may change. Applicants should verify current requirements directly with the authority listed above before beginning work, applying for an examination, or enrolling in a training program.

CAREER PREPARATION

Electrician Training Requirements in Ohio

1Registered Apprenticeship
2Trade or Technical School
3Employer Training

Ohio does not impose one statewide apprenticeship-hour requirement on every electrician employee. Apprenticeship programs commonly provide several years of supervised field experience and classroom instruction in electrical theory, safety, blueprint reading, and National Electrical Code requirements.

A person or company that offers or assumes responsibility for qualifying commercial electrical contracting work must meet Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board requirements. Local jurisdictions may regulate other categories of electrical work, including residential work, registration, permits, and inspections. Applicants should verify both state contractor requirements and applicable local rules.

EDUCATION DIRECTORY

Electrician Training Providers in Ohio

Provider City Program Website
Columbus State Community College Columbus View Program
Cuyahoga Community College Cleveland View Program
Sinclair Community College Dayton View Program
Owens Community College Toledo View Program
Stark State College North Canton View Program

Note: Program availability, admission requirements, tuition, and credit toward licensing requirements may change. Verify current details directly with the provider and the applicable state licensing authority before enrolling. Listings are informational and do not constitute rankings or endorsements.

PAID TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

Electrician Apprenticeship Programs in Ohio

Columbus Electrical JATC

Organization: IBEW Local 683 / NECA

Program Website

Cleveland Electrical JATC

Organization: IBEW Local 38 / NECA

Program Website

Cincinnati Electrical Training Center

Organization: IBEW Local 212 / NECA

Program Website

Dayton Electrical JATC

Organization: IBEW Local 82 / NECA

Program Website

Toledo Electrical JATC

Organization: IBEW Local 8 / NECA

Program Website

STATE AND LOCAL RULES

Electrician Licensing Requirements in Ohio

Ohio licenses qualifying commercial electrical contractors through the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board. The statewide contractor license does not mean that every electrician employee must hold an individual OCILB license. Local jurisdictions may impose additional registration, residential-work, permitting, or individual credential requirements.

EMPLOYMENT PROJECTIONS

Electrician Job Outlook in Ohio

+5% (2022–2032) Projected Employment Growth
2022 - 2032 Projection Period
2,530 Annual Openings

Ohio projects electrician employment to grow by approximately 5% from 26,690 jobs in 2022 to 28,120 jobs in 2032, with about 2,530 openings per year. Projected annual openings include both new positions created by employment growth and replacement openings created when workers leave the occupation. Demand may vary by industry, construction activity, manufacturing investment, and employer conditions.

Note: State employment projections may use a different base period from national BLS projections. Projected growth is an estimate rather than a guarantee of employment, and local demand may vary by metropolitan area, industry, construction activity, and employer investment.

CAREER QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the electrician salary in Ohio?

The statewide median wage for electricians in Ohio is approximately $63,560 per year, or $30.56 per hour, based on May 2024 occupational wage data. Actual earnings vary by experience, license level, location, employer, overtime, and industry.

Does Ohio require electrician licensing?

Licensing requirements for electrician workers in Ohio vary by work scope, license category, and jurisdiction. Applicants should verify current requirements with Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB) before beginning work or applying for an examination.

How long does it take to become an electrician in Ohio?

The time required depends on the license pathway and training program. A typical training pathway takes approximately 4–5 Years Apprenticeship, although licensing, apprenticeship, and employer requirements may differ.

Are electricians in demand in Ohio?

Ohio projects electrician employment to grow by approximately 5% from 2022 to 2032, with about 2,530 openings per year. Projections include both new positions and openings created when workers leave the occupation.

DATA TRANSPARENCY

Career Data Sources

State wage, employment outlook, and licensing information is reviewed using government and official regulatory sources. Data and requirements may change after publication.

  1. May 2024 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. May 2024 State OEWS
  2. Ohio Wages for Electrician (SOC 47-2111) — O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor. Ohio Electrician Wages
  3. Ohio Electrician Employment Trends — O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor. Ohio Electrician Employment Trends
  4. Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB) — Licensing authority. Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB)
CAREER DISCOVERY

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