Dayton Employment

Employment and Industries in the Dayton, Ohio Area

The research and development department of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is the largest employer in Dayton. The base includes a large number of civilian employees. The Wright-Patterson Air Force Base has been acknowledged as attracting to the city one of the nation's highest concentrations of aerospace/high-technology companies. These companies provide jobs for engineers, technicians, scientists and specialists.

The U.S. Defense Department Joint Logistics Systems Center manages the installation of new computer systems for all military services. The center generates a large number of private sector jobs.

With the declining manufacturing sector, the economy has diversified and major economic components include healthcare, education, legal and insurance. The hospitals located in the Greater Dayton area employ a vast number of people and substantially contribute to the economy. In addition, numerous jobs are provided by the region's Miami Valley Research Park which is the site of government and corporate research firms.

Officials of the state of Ohio are working to make Dayton a prominent center for UAV research and manufacturing.

The largest job providers in the city:

  • Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
  • Premier Health Partners
  • Kettering Health Network
  • Wright State University
  • Delphi Automotive Systems
  • AK Steel Corp
  • Good Samaritan Hospital
  • Miami Valley Hospital
  • Med America Health Systems Corporation
  • NCR Corporation
  • Behr America, Inc
  • United States Postal Service
  • Veterans Health Administration
  • General Electric Capital Services, Inc
  • Delphi Corporation
  • JP Morgan Chase Bank, National Association
  • Dmax LTD
  • Dayton Osteopathic Hospital
  • Reynolds and Reynolds Company

The city includes numerous major companies such as:

  • Cargill
  • Reynolds and Reynolds
  • Cox Enterprises
  • Premier Health Partners
  • CareSource
  • Teradata
  • Standard Register
  • NewPage Corporation
  • Kettering Health Network

Dayton's major employment sectors:

  • Transportation, trade and utilities
  • Government
  • Healthcare
  • Education
  • Manufacturing
  • Professional and business services
  • Leisure and hospitality

Noteworthy information about Dayton, Ohio: In 2007 the estimated median household income was $29,000. The cost of living index in 2008 was at 78.8. In Dayton, 14% of the adult population has a bachelor's degree or better.

Dayton businesses are invited to collaborate with helpful organizations such as:

Dayton Business Journal provides readers with news about local business and industry.

Jobs in Dayton

RankTitleTotal EmployeesLocal Mean Salary (Per Year)Local Mean Salary (Per hour)National Growth % 2014-2024
1All Occupations380500$51,560$24.79100
2Office and Administrative Support Occupations46450$39,010$18.7513.75
3Sales and Related Occupations34550$38,780$18.649.5
4Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations33860$25,070$12.058.7
5Production Occupations32350$38,090$18.315.6
6Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations32050$81,020$38.955.85
7Transportation and Material Moving Occupations31130$32,690$15.716.7
8Educational Instruction and Library Occupations23910$58,110$27.946
9Business and Financial Operations Occupations23560$78,070$37.535.35
10Computer and Mathematical Occupations15960$83,520$40.153
11Management Occupations15890$111,940$53.826.35
12Healthcare Support Occupations15720$30,580$14.72.85
13Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations13030$46,220$22.223.75
14Registered Nurses12100$69,730$33.531.95
15Architecture and Engineering Occupations11300$91,770$44.121.7
16Retail Salespersons11130$27,670$13.32.7
17Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations10980$29,850$14.353.6
18Fast Food and Counter Workers10750$22,130$10.642.45
19Construction and Extraction Occupations10040$49,060$23.584.6
20Cashiers8880$22,450$10.792.2
21Office Clerks, General8640$36,480$17.541.9
22Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand7690$29,430$14.151.8
23Protective Service Occupations7160$46,710$22.462.2
24Customer Service Representatives6440$35,970$17.291.75
25Home Health and Personal Care Aides6020$24,160$11.610
26Waiters and Waitresses5980$26,460$12.721.65
27Stockers and Order Fillers5950$26,950$12.961.25
28Community and Social Service Occupations5890$47,980$23.071.75
29Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners5790$28,890$13.891.5
30Personal Care and Service Occupations5790$26,800$12.884.65
31Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations5330$51,580$24.81.8
32Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers5270$95,380$45.850.65
33Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other5040$85,980$41.330.7
34Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators4830$31,450$15.120.8
35Nursing Assistants4690$28,200$13.560.95
36Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive4250$37,780$18.171.4
37Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers4100$41,480$19.941.2
38General and Operations Managers4070$115,380$55.471.5
39Cooks, Restaurant3600$25,300$12.160.9
40Maintenance and Repair Workers, General3500$41,230$19.820.9
41First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers3320$35,930$17.270.6
42Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations3150$80,490$38.70.8
43Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks3140$41,810$20.11.05
44Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products2970$69,940$33.620.85
45First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers2900$56,260$27.050.95
46Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses2870$44,570$21.430.5
47Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers2820$30,050$14.450.75
48Driver/Sales Workers2720$24,820$11.930.3
49Receptionists and Information Clerks2710$30,160$14.50.7
50First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers2630$45,540$21.890.95
51Accountants and Auditors2520$74,800$35.960.9
52Light Truck Drivers2500$36,520$17.560.6
53Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel2440$58,360$28.060.7
54Computer Systems Analysts2360$86,930$41.790.4
55Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks2360$33,940$16.320.4
56Buyers and Purchasing Agents2260$77,540$37.280.25
57Legal Occupations2260$78,170$37.580.8
58Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants2260$35,050$16.850.4
59Security Guards2140$28,570$13.740.7
60First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers2120$64,650$31.080.4
61Machinists2110$47,400$22.790.2
62Management Analysts2070$97,210$46.740.55
63Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers2060$41,630$20.020.35
64Computer Occupations, All Other2020$78,300$37.650.3
65Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics1920$38,390$18.460.5
66Human Resources Specialists1840$63,160$30.360.4
67Computer User Support Specialists1800$51,850$24.930.4
68Bartenders1790$24,710$11.880.4
69Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators1760$37,710$18.130.4
70Medical Assistants1760$33,540$16.120.45
71Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists1720$65,880$31.670.45
72Construction Laborers1710$44,690$21.490.9
73Engineers, All Other1690$112,710$54.190.1
74Financial and Investment Analysts, Financial Risk Specialists, and Financial Specialists, All Other1690$84,710$40.720.2
75Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers1610$66,470$31.960.4
76Physicians, All Other; and Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric1580$217,230$104.440.3
77Food Preparation Workers1540$25,120$12.080.5
78Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners1540$23,150$11.130.9
79Electricians1460$47,240$22.710.45
80Firefighters1440$47,570$22.870.2
81Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians1430$49,370$23.740.2
82Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers1420$34,890$16.780.2
83Packers and Packagers, Hand1380$24,070$11.570.4
84Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks1340$45,870$22.050.2
85Electronics Engineers, Except Computer1330$109,810$52.790.1
86Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic1290$28,710$13.80.1
87Mechanical Engineers1280$86,570$41.620.2
88Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education1250$27,630$13.290.3
89Pharmacists1230$122,530$58.910.2
90Aerospace Engineers1200$115,270$55.420
91Financial Managers1200$124,190$59.710.4
92Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators1180$39,250$18.870.1
93Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop1160$20,180$9.70.3
94Logisticians1160$87,740$42.180.1
95Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic1150$36,680$17.640.1
96Engine and Other Machine Assemblers1140$40,100$19.280
97Social and Human Service Assistants1110$32,200$15.480.3
98Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers1100$47,110$22.650.2
99Industrial Engineers1100$82,930$39.870.2
100Medical and Health Services Managers1100$109,590$52.690.3
Source: 2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov
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Additional Details

Dayton Colleges
Dayton colleges and trade schools.

Jobs More Common Near Dayton Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$51,560380,500
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$39,01046,450
Sales and Related Occupations$38,78034,550
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$25,07033,860
Production Occupations$38,09032,350
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$81,02032,050
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$32,69031,130
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$58,11023,910
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$78,07023,560
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$83,52015,960
Management Occupations$111,94015,890
Healthcare Support Occupations$30,58015,720
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$46,22013,030
Registered Nurses$69,73012,100
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$91,77011,300
Retail Salespersons$27,67011,130
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$29,85010,980
Fast Food and Counter Workers$22,13010,750
Construction and Extraction Occupations$49,06010,040
Cashiers$22,4508,880
Office Clerks, General$36,4808,640
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$29,4307,690
Protective Service Occupations$46,7107,160
Customer Service Representatives$35,9706,440
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$24,1606,020
Waiters and Waitresses$26,4605,980
Stockers and Order Fillers$26,9505,950
Community and Social Service Occupations$47,9805,890
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$28,8905,790
Personal Care and Service Occupations$26,8005,790
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$51,5805,330
Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$95,3805,270
Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other$85,9805,040
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$31,4504,830
Nursing Assistants$28,2004,690
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$37,7804,250
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$41,4804,100
General and Operations Managers$115,3804,070
Cooks, Restaurant$25,3003,600
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$41,2303,500
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$35,9303,320
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations$80,4903,150
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$41,8103,140
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$69,9402,970
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$56,2602,900
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$44,5702,870
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$30,0502,820
Driver/Sales Workers$24,8202,720
Receptionists and Information Clerks$30,1602,710
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$45,5402,630

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Dayton, Ohio Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$51,560380,500
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$39,01046,450
Sales and Related Occupations$38,78034,550
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$25,07033,860
Production Occupations$38,09032,350
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$81,02032,050
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$32,69031,130
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$58,11023,910
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$78,07023,560
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$83,52015,960
Management Occupations$111,94015,890
Healthcare Support Occupations$30,58015,720
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$46,22013,030
Registered Nurses$69,73012,100
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$91,77011,300
Retail Salespersons$27,67011,130
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$29,85010,980
Construction and Extraction Occupations$49,06010,040
Office Clerks, General$36,4808,640
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$29,4307,690
Protective Service Occupations$46,7107,160
Customer Service Representatives$35,9706,440
Waiters and Waitresses$26,4605,980
Stockers and Order Fillers$26,9505,950
Community and Social Service Occupations$47,9805,890
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$28,8905,790
Personal Care and Service Occupations$26,8005,790
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$51,5805,330
Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$95,3805,270
Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other$85,9805,040
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$31,4504,830
Nursing Assistants$28,2004,690
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$37,7804,250
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$41,4804,100
General and Operations Managers$115,3804,070
Cooks, Restaurant$25,3003,600
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$41,2303,500
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$35,9303,320
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations$80,4903,150
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$41,8103,140
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$69,9402,970
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$56,2602,900
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$44,5702,870
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$30,0502,820
Receptionists and Information Clerks$30,1602,710
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$45,5402,630
Accountants and Auditors$74,8002,520
Light Truck Drivers$36,5202,500
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$58,3602,440
Computer Systems Analysts$86,9302,360

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