Project Coordinator salary in Columbus, OH
No other area in Ohio pays project coordinators more than Columbus: the median is $98,660 a year1. That is 3.0% above the Ohio statewide median of $95,770, and 3.6% below the US median of $102,320. Nationally it ranks #146 of 518 areas. It is the largest market for the job in Ohio: about 7,680 people, 22% of the Ohio total.
BLS occupation 13-1082, area Columbus, OH. Data from the May 2025 release, checked 2026-10-15.
Pay in Columbus against Ohio and the US
| Range | 10th | Median | 90th | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus, OH | $60,500 | $98,660 | $164,190 | |
| Ohio | $59,280 | $95,770 | $160,570 | |
| United States | $61,580 | $102,320 | $167,970 |
The middle half of project coordinators in Columbus earns $76,720–$128,800. The top tenth earns $164,190 or more, 2.7 times the bottom tenth, close to the US pattern of 2.7 times. From the 25th to the 75th percentile, the local range is only $52,080 wide, against $52,150 across Ohio and $54,660 nationally: employers in Columbus pay within a narrower band.
What to budget for a project coordinator here
| Point in the local range | Per year | Per month | Per hour | Employer cost per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $60,500 | $5,042 | $29.09 | $78,065 |
| 25th percentile | $76,720 | $6,393 | $36.88 | $98,994 |
| Median | $98,660 | $8,222 | $47.43 | $127,303 |
| 75th percentile | $128,800 | $10,733 | $61.92 | $166,194 |
| 90th percentile | $164,190 | $13,682 | $78.94 | $211,858 |
The step from the 25th percentile to the median is $21,940 a year; from the median to the 75th it is $30,140, or about $38,890 once benefits are added. These percentiles describe what people in the job earn locally, not experience levels, so place your offer by the tasks and seniority you need.
For scale, the US median of $102,320 falls between the median and the 75th percentile in Columbus, and the Ohio statewide median of $95,770 falls between the 25th percentile and the median.
What a hire really costs in Columbus
At the $98,660 median, a local hire costs about $127,303 a year: benefits and payroll taxes other than paid leave are 22.5% of total compensation in US private industry2, about $28,643 here. Recruiting, equipment and office space come on top. Benefit levels vary by employer, so treat this as an estimate.
We place executive assistants, customer support and e-commerce staff today; for project coordinators 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 fee3; Deel's contractor plan is the default payroll tool4.
Other roles in Columbus
Project coordinators have the highest median of the 17 roles we track in Columbus; virtual receptionists have the lowest, at $36,910.
| Role | Median | vs project coordinator | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Coordinator | this role | 7,680 | |
| Accountant | -17.2% | 11,410 | |
| Marketing Specialist | -21.9% | 5,880 | |
| Executive Assistant | -23.1% | 3,250 | |
| Recruiter | -23.5% | 7,740 |
Measured against the US median, project coordinators rank #14 of the 17 roles we track in Columbus (-3.6%), between virtual receptionists (-2.9%) and office managers (-3.6%). The typical role here is at -0.7%, so this job follows the area's general pay level. Project coordinators hold 7.1% of the jobs in these 17 roles in Columbus, 6.7% across Ohio and 6.7% nationally. That is close to the national mix.
Other areas in Ohio
Across the 16 areas of Ohio with data for this job, the median runs from $77,160 in Youngstown-Warren to $98,660 in Columbus, a gap of $21,500 a year. No other area in Ohio has as many project coordinators, and all 15 others pay less.
| Area | Median | vs Columbus | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus, OH | this area | 7,680 | |
| Dayton-Kettering, OH | -0.5% | 2,270 | |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY | -3.3% | 7,080 | |
| Cleveland, OH | -3.7% | 6,340 | |
| Sandusky, OH | -4.3% | 140 | |
| Akron, OH | -5.5% | 2,180 | |
| West Northwestern Ohio (Nonmetro) | -11.6% | 860 |
Columbus against other US metro areas
By number of jobs, Columbus is #31 of 517 US areas for this job. It is one of the larger markets for this job, with pay near the middle of the US range. Outside Ohio, Pensacola-Ferry Pass and Miami-Fort Lauderdale pay just above Columbus and Dalton and Odessa just below. All four are within $70 a year of the median in Columbus. Of the three markets with about as many project coordinators, two pay more.
| Metro area | Median | vs Columbus | Jobs | Close in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | +3.7% | 7,930 | jobs | |
| Pittsburgh, PA | +0.7% | 7,280 | jobs | |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL | +0.1% | 19,340 | pay | |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass, FL | +0.0% | 1,280 | pay | |
| Columbus, OH | this area | 7,680 | ||
| Dalton, GA | -0.1% | 300 | pay | |
| Odessa, TX | -0.1% | 480 | pay | |
| Nashville-Murfreesboro, TN | -12.8% | 7,950 | jobs |
Questions
How much does it cost to hire a project coordinator in Columbus, OH?
About $127,303 a year at the median, or $10,609 a month: $98,660 in pay plus about $28,643 in benefits and payroll taxes. Recruiting, equipment and office space are extra.
What is the pay range for project coordinators in Columbus?
The median was $98,660 a year in the May 2025 BLS survey. The 10th percentile was $60,500, the 90th $164,190, and the middle half earned $76,720 to $128,800.
Is Columbus the most expensive area in Ohio for project coordinators?
Yes. Its median of $98,660 is the highest of 16 areas in Ohio. Dayton-Kettering comes next at $98,130.
How many project coordinators work in Columbus?
BLS counts about 7,680 in the May 2025 survey. That is 22% of the Ohio total of 34,260. No other area in Ohio has as many.
Does a project coordinator cost more than an accountant in Columbus?
Yes: $16,960 a year more at the median. The medians are $98,660 and $81,700.
Sources
4 sources, with links
- BLS OEWS May 2025, 13-1082: bls.gov
- BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation, private industry, June 2026: bls.gov
- Stafka pricing: stafka.com
- Deel pricing, contractor management: deel.com
How these pages are built: methodology and data sources. Last updated 2026-11-12.