What this means Our calculation
9 of 19 trades here pay more than the typical U.S. metro; the best-paid is brickmasons at $94,220. Prices run 10% below the U.S. average, so a paycheck here is worth more than the same dollars elsewhere. For the wider job market, unemployment is higher than most metros (4.8%) and the population is shrinking (-1.2% since 2020).
Highest-paying trades in Lima Government data
All 19 trades
Vs. U.S. compares with the typical metro for that trade. Jobs are employment estimates, not open positions. Click a column to sort.
| Trade | Median pay | Vs. U.S. | Real pay | Jobs | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brickmason | $94,220 | +50% | $105,075 | 40 | #5 |
| Welder | $85,790 | +64% | $95,674 | 470 | #1 |
| Concrete Finisher | $81,270 | +42% | $90,633 | 90 | #7 |
| Electrician | $75,600 | +21% | $84,310 | 250 | #107 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $74,470 | +17% | $83,050 | 180 | #67 |
| Construction Supervisor | $73,510 | -5% | $81,979 | 150 | #278 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $62,450 | +3% | $69,645 | 210 | #121 |
| Plumber | $61,160 | -0% | $68,206 | 170 | #201 |
| HVAC Technician | $60,950 | +2% | $67,972 | 160 | #158 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $58,860 | -1% | $65,641 | 130 | #204 |
| Maintenance Technician | $57,180 | +18% | $63,768 | 620 | #43 |
| Machinist | $53,950 | -5% | $60,166 | 120 | #230 |
| Carpenter | $53,800 | -4% | $59,998 | 130 | #211 |
| Construction Laborer | $51,110 | +9% | $56,999 | 230 | #109 |
| Auto Body Repairer | $47,160 | -9% | $52,593 | 60 | #307 |
| Painter | $46,530 | -2% | $51,891 | 40 | #225 |
| Auto Mechanic | $45,740 | -6% | $51,010 | 270 | #334 |
| Roofer | $44,980 | -10% | $50,162 | 40 | #238 |
| Landscaper | $36,200 | -4% | $40,371 | 230 | #288 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Living costs & homes Government data
Homes in Lima
The Lima area has about 44,931 homes. 68% were built before 1980 (typical metro 45%), so its housing is older than most; 6% were built in 2010 or later. Older homes often need more repair, replacement and upgrade work. 68% of households own their home, and the median home value is $182,100.
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table DP04).
Working outdoors in Lima Government data
In an average year, Lima has 14 days at 90°F or hotter (fewer than most metros; typical metro 33), 116 nights below freezing (typical 90) and 75 days with a tenth of an inch of rain or more. Summer afternoons average 82°F and winter nights 23°F. That matters for outdoor trades: heat and freezes shape the working season and the hours.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 averages, Lima Allen Co Airport, OH station. Compare cities on outdoor work weather.
Job market & growth Government data
Unemployment
4.8% in 2025 (typical metro 4.1%), all workers.
BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2021–2025.
Population
The Lima area's population shrank 1.2% from 2020 to 2025 (102,116 → 100,881), ranking #339 of 387 metros for growth (typical metro +2.5%). More people moved out than in (net -843).
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year, 2020–2025.
New homes permitted
New-home permits in Lima are down 31% from 2021 to 2025 (226 → 157). Permits signal construction activity, not open jobs.
Census Building Permits Survey, 2021–2025.
Getting to work
The average commute in the Lima area is 21 minutes each way, shorter than the typical metro (24 min). 9% of commuters spend 45 minutes or more. 85% drive alone, 0% take transit and 3% work from home (all workers, not just trades).
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table S0801).
Licensing in Ohio Official source
The main state licensing office in Ohio is the Ohio Department of Commerce. Home of the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board. It can point you to the right license for skilled trades.
Official Ohio licensing site ↗
Requirements for skilled trades vary by state and sometimes by city; always confirm with the official agency.
Union membership
In 2025, 11.6% of wage and salary workers in Ohio were union members, above the U.S. rate of about 10% (#18 of 51 states and D.C.), and 12.8% were covered by a union contract. These figures cover all jobs in the state, not only the trades.
BLS Union Members, 2025 (Current Population Survey), table 5.
Nearby metros
Compare any trade in two cities with city vs. city, or see every metro in Ohio.