Ohio's Chemistry Industry: The Basics

Ohio’s Chemistry Industry: High-Paying Jobs

•      Chemistry companies in Ohio directly employ 45,865 people, and indirectly contribute 155,943 jobs to the economy. For every chemistry industry job in Ohio, an additional 3.4 jobs are created within the state.
•      Chemistry industry jobs are high-paying. The average wage of a chemistry industry employee in Ohio is $64,600, which is 24% higher than the average manufacturing wage. These jobs generate $2,961 million in earnings and $461 million in federal, state and local taxes on personal income and $453 million in Social Security and Medicare contributions.
•      Ohio’s chemistry industry workforce is a treasure of talented people, including engineers, chemists, skilled chemistry plant production workers, administrative, and sales/marketing personnel.   
•      Ohio’s chemistry industry is a safe place to work.  Each year the chemistry industry ranks at or near the top among all U.S. industries in terms of worker safety performance.

Ohio’s Chemistry Industry:  High-Technology Focused
Problem Solvers for the World

•     Every year, Ohio’s chemistry companies produce high-technology products that generate more than $20 billion in sales. 
•    Exports of high-tech, high value-added chemistries from Ohio chemistry production plants exceed $5 billion annually—a substantial contributor to our country’s balance of trade.
•    The products of chemistry developed, commercialized, and manufactured by our members in Ohio are an essential part of every facet of our nation’s economy. Over 96% of all manufactured goods are directly touched by the business of chemistry.
•      Chemistry is pointing the way to sustainable energy, cleaner air and water, and more effective uses for the planet’s resources. Today Ohio’s chemistry companies are looking up to the stars and down into the depths of the ocean to improve our stewardship of the planet.
•    Chemistry employs a higher percentage of knowledge workers than any other industry. In Ohio that means thousands of scientists and engineers tackling some of today's most complicated problems. From breakthroughs in medicine to finding new sources of energy to improve our cars and homes, unique and innovative chemistries from Ohio companies are turning knowledge into innovation.

Chemistry Industry Economics

The economics of the industry are simple: The compounds chemical companies make are more valuable than the raw materials from which they are made. The commodity and specialty chemicals made in chemical plants in Ohio are the building blocks in thousands of applications, including medical devices, food processing, construction materials, paints, finishes, paper, plastics, pharmaceuticals, electronics, water treatment, and clothing. The industry is capital intensive, science-driven, and reliant on sophisticated production processes and equipment.