What this means Our calculation
6 of 20 trades here pay more than the typical U.S. metro; the best-paid is sheet metal workers at $76,930. Prices run 11% 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 (5.3%) and the population is shrinking (-0.1% since 2020).
Highest-paying trades in Mansfield Government data
All 20 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheet Metal Worker | $76,930 | +25% | $86,563 | 30 | #47 |
| Construction Supervisor | $72,510 | -6% | $81,589 | 200 | #294 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $66,100 | +11% | $74,377 | 190 | #107 |
| Brickmason | $62,570 | -1% | $70,405 | 40 | #77 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $62,150 | -3% | $69,932 | 210 | #256 |
| Plumber | $59,770 | -3% | $67,254 | 120 | #232 |
| Electrician | $59,720 | -4% | $67,198 | 150 | #250 |
| Concrete Finisher | $59,490 | +4% | $66,939 | 50 | #134 |
| HVAC Technician | $59,010 | -1% | $66,399 | 130 | #214 |
| Carpenter | $57,750 | +3% | $64,981 | 150 | #173 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $57,650 | -4% | $64,869 | 100 | #278 |
| Machinist | $54,540 | -4% | $61,369 | 210 | #227 |
| Maintenance Technician | $50,210 | +4% | $56,497 | 660 | #133 |
| Auto Mechanic | $48,350 | -1% | $54,404 | 250 | #226 |
| Construction Laborer | $48,320 | +3% | $54,370 | 260 | #163 |
| Roofer | $47,470 | -5% | $53,414 | 60 | #190 |
| Insulation Installer | $45,980 | -5% | $51,737 | 40 | #85 |
| Auto Body Repairer | $45,920 | -11% | $51,670 | 60 | #344 |
| Welder | $43,120 | -18% | $48,519 | 350 | #370 |
| Landscaper | $36,280 | -3% | $40,823 | 310 | #281 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Living costs & homes Government data
Homes in Mansfield
The Mansfield area has about 54,841 homes. 72% were built before 1980 (typical metro 45%), so its housing is older than most; 3% were built in 2010 or later. Older homes often need more repair, replacement and upgrade work. 67% of households own their home, and the median home value is $175,400.
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table DP04).
Working outdoors in Mansfield Government data
In an average year, Mansfield has 8 days at 90°F or hotter (fewer than most metros; typical metro 33), 124 nights below freezing (typical 90) and 88 days with a tenth of an inch of rain or more, and 49 inches of snow. Summer afternoons average 81°F and winter nights 22°F. That matters for outdoor trades: heat and freezes shape the working season and the hours.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 averages, Mansfield Lahm Muni Airport, OH station. Compare cities on outdoor work weather.
Job market & growth Government data
Unemployment
5.3% in 2025 (typical metro 4.1%), all workers.
BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2021–2025.
Population
The Mansfield area's population shrank 0.1% from 2020 to 2025 (124,969 → 124,893), ranking #299 of 387 metros for growth (typical metro +2.5%).
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year, 2020–2025.
New homes permitted
New-home permits in Mansfield are roughly flat from 2021 to 2025 (115 → 114). Permits signal construction activity, not open jobs.
Census Building Permits Survey, 2021–2025.
Getting to work
The average commute in the Mansfield area is 22 minutes each way, shorter than the typical metro (24 min). 12% of commuters spend 45 minutes or more. 81% drive alone, 1% take transit and 5% 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.