Ohio added HVAC and plumbing contractor jobs over the past year while home electricity prices rose 11.9%, about 2.4 times the national increase.
Ohio’s plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors averaged about 46,525 jobs in early 2026, up 3.9% from 44,782 a year earlier. The number of business locations rose slightly to 3,494 (+0.5%), and average pay rose 4.5% to $1,567 a week. Federal data counts HVAC and plumbing contractors together, so these numbers cover both trades.
Electricity prices rose faster in Ohio
Ohio homes paid an average of 19.45 cents per kilowatt-hour in July 2026, up from 17.38 cents in July 2025, a 11.9% increase, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The national average rose 4.9% over the same months, to 18.31 cents. Ohio’s price has been above the national average every month from April through July 2026.
Higher power bills can push homeowners to repair or replace old, inefficient systems, which is work for HVAC contractors. The data shows both trends rising at the same time, but it doesn’t prove one caused the other. For how heating costs compare across the country, see our look at winter electric heating bills.
What this means if you’re starting an HVAC business
Demand looks steady, but you’ll be competing for technicians whose pay is rising. Customers and general contractors will usually ask for proof of insurance; see our guide to HVAC insurance in Ohio. To set up the company, see how to form an LLC in Ohio.
How we got these numbers
Jobs, business locations and pay come from the federal Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) run by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. It counts workers covered by unemployment insurance, so it misses most self-employed owners. We compare January–March 2026 with January–March 2025 for private employers in industry code 23822 (plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors). “Jobs” is the average of the three months; the March-only number is in the CSV. “Business locations” counts each worksite, so a company with three sites counts three times. Average weekly pay mixes full-time and part-time workers, so it isn’t an hourly rate. The 2026 figures are preliminary and BLS may revise them. Electricity prices are EIA monthly average residential prices (revenue divided by sales), not a specific utility rate. Data pulled October 16, 2026.