Top Industries Powering Ohio's Economy

Ohio has always been a powerhouse for job creation - from its manufacturing roots to its current status as a hub for innovation. With affordable living, a wealth of talent from top universities, and a strategic central location, the Buckeye state is rapidly becoming one of the most exciting places in the country to build a business, or a career. From world-class healthcare systems to cutting-edge logistics startups, let’s dive into the top industries fueling Ohio’s economic engine in 2025.

Manufacturing and Advanced Materials

Ohio’s manufacturing roots go deep, helping build the American middle class. Today, manufacturing is the largest of Ohio’s economic sectors, employing roughly 689,900 and contributing tens of billions to the state’s GDP.

With durable goods like transportation equipment, industrial machinery, and fabricated materials, Ohio’s manufacturing exports are a vital part of the state’s economy. Global brands like Honda, Procter and Gamble, GE, and Whirlpool maintain significant manufacturing operations in Ohio. 

Innovation is what keeps Ohio at the forefront. Ohio is a place of many firsts in manufacturing technology innovation. The first airplane engine component was developed at General Electric (GE) Aviation. The first 3D printed drug was developed at Aprecia Pharmaceuticals. The first Big Area Additive Manufacturing (BAAM) printer at Cincinnati Incorporated made the first 3D printed car.

A leader in national innovation, areas like Akron Polymer Corridor have become a model for materials science advancement, thanks in part to the University of Akron’s Functional Materials Center, which partners with industry to push forward new developments in nanotechnology and advanced composites.

Photo courtesy: Path Robotics

Industry 4.0 and 5.0 technologies—automation, AI-driven robotics, and smart factory solutions—are increasingly embedded in Ohio’s manufacturing base, leading to world class startups like:

• Forge Biologics (Columbus): A gene therapy manufacturing company that builds custom platforms for biotech clients.
• Phoenix Bat (Plain City): A small but growing company making precision baseball bats with advanced composites for professional and amateur athletes.
• Path Robotics (Columbus): Develops AI-powered robotic welding systems for industrial use.

Ohio is also home to the Ohio Manufacturing Extension Partnership, which helps small and mid-sized manufacturers implement advanced technologies and compete globally.

Logistics and Supply Chain

Ohio’s central location—within a one-day drive of 60% of the U.S. population—makes it a prime logistics hub. Combined with a strong supply chain infrastructure and multimodal transportation network, the state offers businesses fast, reliable access to major markets. It’s no surprise CNBC lists Ohio among the top 10 best states for business.

The state boasts robust rail networks, an extensive highway system, and easy access to major ports along Lake Erie. This has proven an attractive opportunity for logistics giants like Amazon have invested heavily in Ohio, with multiple fulfillment centers and plans for a new set of data and logistics centers.

The government is also doing its part. As Governor Mike DeWine put it, “Ohio continues to lead the nation in the Global Groundwork Index,” due to massive infrastructure investments in water, energy, and telecom.

Ohio is a hub for smart mobility research and initiatives, including truck platooning, connected vehicles, and unmanned aircraft systems. The commitment to future-ready infrastructure is also helping smaller logistics tech companies establish and grow in the region such as:

• Pickle Robot Company (Cleveland): Focuses on robotics for parcel sorting and warehouse automation.
• Warehowz (Columbus): A digital warehousing platform helping businesses manage on-demand storage and distribution.
• GoBolt (Akron): A technology company building the world’s largest sustainable supply chain network that partners with merchants to deliver a complete end-to-end shopper experience.
  
  

Health and Healthcare Innovation

For Ohio, healthcare isn't just a cornerstone of the economy—it’s one of its greatest strengths.

Cleveland Clinic, the state’s largest private employer is also one of the top-ranked hospitals globally. As Ohio’s largest employer, Cleveland Clinic directly and indirectly supported $28.19 billion of economic activity in the state in 2023 through ongoing operations, including $390.9 million in construction investments.  And it’s not the only hospital network establishing an economic foundation.  In Summit County, Summa Health anchors the local economy with over 7,000 employees and $1.86 billion in 2023 revenue, underscoring the region’s continued strength in health services.

Meanwhile, the biotech sector is gaining serious traction. In April 2025, Amgen announced a $900 million expansion of its Ohio manufacturing footprint, a move expected to create 750 new high-tech jobs. Ohio is now home to more than 1,100 biotechnology-related companies.

Photo courtesy: Cleveland Clinic

This surge in innovation is supported by JobsOhio, an economic development organization that, in collaboration with state universities and health systems, has committed $3 billion toward creating Innovation Districts in Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati. These districts bring together hospitals, research institutions, and startups to accelerate next-generation health technologies.

A few notable up-and-coming health tech startups making waves in Ohio include:

• AndHealth (Columbus): Offers whole-person virtual care focused on autoimmune disease management.
• BillionToOne (Cleveland): Specializes in high-resolution prenatal testing and liquid biopsy solutions.
• Axuall (Cleveland): A workforce intelligence company that helps healthcare organizations verify practitioner credentials faster and more accurately who recently secured $20M in Series B Capital.

Education and Edtech

With powerhouse institutions like Ohio State University, Case Western Reserve, and University of Cincinnati, education is both a legacy strength and an emerging opportunity area for the state.

These universities are deeply involved in research and partnerships with the private sector. For example, Ohio State is collaborating on new edtech initiatives that incorporate AI, AR, and digital accessibility. Meanwhile, the state is proactively crafting policy guidance on K-12 AI usage to ensure students and educators are prepared for the future.

With startups in edtech and education thriving in Ohio, a few to watch include:

• Packback (Cleveland): Uses AI to drive student curiosity and improve engagement through dynamic writing prompts.
• Peerro (Columbus): A workforce development platform connecting students with employers through skills-based education.
• Abre (Cincinnati): K-12's #1 modern data solution to improve student outcomes, who just announced a significant milestone with the closing of a Series A $24 million in funding to support its mission to open learning communities by connecting what matters. 

Photo courtesy: The Ohio State University

With a growing focus on workforce alignment and equitable access to digital learning, Ohio is making serious investments in edtech.

Technology and SaaS

Dubbed the “Silicon Heartland,” Columbus has emerged as one of the fastest-growing tech cities in the country. Startups, scaleups, and major players alike are building roots in Ohio’s fertile tech soil.

In January 2022, Intel announced that it would be building its most advanced semiconductor manufacturing facility in Ohio. This project is transformative to Ohio’s economy, bringing thousands of high-paying jobs along with millions invested in education and talent development. Intel’s presence in Ohio has already become a magnet for suppliers and other tech companies, further solidifying the region as the Silicon Heartland.

Photo courtesy: Intel

Tech is one of Ohio’s fastest growing industries with expertise in sectors including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, IoT, Semiconductors, analytics and more.

An array of technology companies that are household names call Ohio home, including Intel, Facebook, Google, Amazon Web Services, IBM, Upstart, and Carvana. These are just some of the global tech leaders that know the benefits of doing business in Ohio. Startups and smaller companies are able to capitalize off of the benefits of growing in Ohio, including:

• Gear Supply (Cincinnati): An online marketplace for buying and selling used AV equipment.
• Beam (Columbus): A dental benefits company using tech to modernize insurance.
• ScriptDrop (Columbus): A health tech startup making prescription delivery more accessible nationwide.

Ohio’s universities are playing a key role, too. The Ohio State University’s Energy Advancement and Innovation Center, for example, is pushing the envelope on smart energy, green mobility, and sustainable building systems.

Tech hiring remains strong across engineering, UX, DevOps, and product management.

Fintech and Financial Services

Ohio may not be the first place that comes to mind for finance and fintech, but that’s quickly changing.

J.P. Morgan Chase maintains its largest workforce outside New York in Columbus, anchoring a vibrant ecosystem of financial services. Ohio’s own KeyCorp and Huntington Bancshares have deep roots in Cleveland and Columbus respectively, and continue to invest heavily in digital transformation and innovation.

The fintech scene is also catching fire. Luma Financial Technologies, a Cincinnati-based startup, recently raised $63 million in capital from investors including Bank of America and UBS. The platform helps advisors manage and trade structured investments and annuities more efficiently.

Columbus has emerged as a fintech hotbed, bolstered by venture firms like Drive Capital, which has backed dozens of Ohio-based startups including Root Insurance and Beam. Wells Fargo also recently selected Columbus for its next major tech hub, a sign that Ohio’s talent pipeline and affordability are turning heads in Silicon Valley boardrooms while promoting significant growth for the region,

“Hundreds of great-paying jobs are coming to Columbus,” said City of Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther said of the announcement. “Jobs of this quality and magnitude are what get people talking, and they generate the kind of momentum that drives future growth and improves the quality of life for our residents. This is fantastic news for the entire region.”

Along with larger companies, many top emerging fintech companies are making Ohio home, including:

• Lower (New Albany): A full-stack lender and platform that simplifies the process of buying, selling, refinancing, and insuring homes.
• AmpliFund (Cleveland): A cloud-based grant management software that empowers funders and recipients to streamline processes, increase capacity, maintain compliance, and maximize impact.
• River Financial (Columbus): A Bitcoin-focused financial institution that offers a range of services including a zero-fee Bitcoin brokerage, Bitcoin interest on cash, and secure wallet custody.
  
  
  
  

A Growing Opportunity Economy

Ohio’s economy is as robust as it is diverse. Powered by cloud computing, biotech research, clean energy, and fintech platforms are driving new opportunities while the state’s legacy industries have evolved. With investment and support, vibrant startup ecosystems in Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Akron continue to grow and attract national attention.

Ohio offers meaningful, high-impact work in a state that offers affordable cost of living, diverse communities, and access to both city and rural areas. It's known for its friendly people, strong work ethic, and a good balance of urban and rural life. Whether you’re an engineer, a clinician, a logistics expert, or a product manager, Ohio offers a rare mix of affordability, innovation, and quality of life.

Ready to call Ohio home?