Bookkeeper salary and cost of hiring in Ohio
The median bookkeeper in Ohio earned $48,810 a year in May 2025[1], 3.7% below the US median of $50,670. That puts Ohio at #29 of 51 states for this job.
BLS occupation 43-3031. Data from the May 2025 release, checked 2026-10-16.
Salary range
| Range | 10th | Median | 90th | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio | $36,110 | $48,810 | $67,330 | |
| United States | $36,000 | $50,670 | $74,550 |
The middle half of bookkeepers in Ohio earns $42,360–$58,720; the top tenth earns $67,330 or more, 1.9 times the bottom tenth.
What a hire really costs
Benefits and payroll taxes are 30.0% of total compensation in US private industry[2]. At the Ohio median that makes about $69,729 a year before recruiting, equipment and office space. Benefit levels vary by employer, so treat this as an estimate.
We place executive assistants, customer support and e-commerce staff today; for bookkeepers we answer within one business day whether we can help. Enter the monthly pay you have in mind to compare it with a local hire. The fee field shows our standard fee[3]; Deel's contractor plan is the default payroll tool[4].
Pay by metro area in Ohio
| Area | Median | 75th percentile | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus, OH | $59,810 | 9,000 | |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $60,120 | 9,050 | |
| Akron, OH | $57,970 | 2,730 | |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $58,950 | 2,570 | |
| Cleveland, OH | $59,040 | 8,660 | |
| Eastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area | $57,260 | 1,220 | |
| Toledo, OH | $57,510 | 2,200 | |
| West Northwestern Ohio nonmetropolitan area | $57,910 | 2,000 | |
| North Northeastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area (noncontiguous) | $56,530 | 2,070 | |
| Lima, OH | $54,060 | 430 | |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $54,250 | 1,130 | |
| Mansfield, OH | $52,100 | 330 | |
| Southern Ohio nonmetropolitan area | $54,040 | 1,240 | |
| Sandusky, OH | $57,730 | 390 | |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $53,550 | 1,430 | |
| Springfield, OH | $49,860 | 520 |
Columbus, OH pays the most ($51,170) and Springfield, OH the least ($45,750): $5,420 a year apart for the same job.
What a bookkeeper does
A bookkeeper records the company's transactions, reconciles bank accounts, keeps receivables and payables in order and prepares the books for the accountant.
Neighbours in the ranking
| State | Median | vs Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan | +0.3% | |
| Texas | +0.2% | |
| Ohio | +0.0% | |
| Hawaii | -0.2% | |
| Pennsylvania | -0.8% |
Questions
How much does a bookkeeper earn in Ohio?
The median was $48,810 a year in the May 2025 BLS survey; the middle half earned $42,360 to $58,720.
What does it cost to employ a bookkeeper in Ohio?
About $69,729 a year at the median wage once benefits are added, using the 30% benefits share of US private industry (June 2026).
Where in Ohio do bookkeepers earn the most?
Columbus, OH, with a median of $51,170 a year.
Sources
- BLS OEWS May 2025, 43-3031: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes433031.htm
- BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation, private industry, June 2026: https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm
- Silkstaff pricing: https://silkstaff.com/#pricing
- Deel pricing, contractor management: https://www.deel.com/pricing/
How these pages are built: methodology and data sources. Data checked 2026-10-16.