Lorain Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Lorain, OH: $25.03/hr median hourly wage, $52,055 median annual salary, cost of living index 85.2, and $10.45/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and Ohio taxes.
Lorain Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Lorain, OH is $25.03/hr, equivalent to $52,055 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $15.52/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $35.54/hr, and the local minimum wage is $10.45/hr.
Median Salary
$52,055
$25.03/hr
Cost of Living
85.2
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$10.45
per hour
Unemployment
4.1%
rate
Lorain, OH Overview
Population
65,211
Median Salary
$52,055
Average Salary
$58,302
Avg Commute
20 min
Median Home Price
$209,000
Median Rent
$869/mo
Job Growth
+1.9%
Sales Tax
5.75%
Lorain is located in Ohio with a population of 65,211. The median household salary is $52,055 per year ($25.03/hour), which is $7,329 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 20 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1.9%.
Lorain Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Lorain, OH based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $52,055 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $32,274 | $15.52/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $52,055 | $25.03/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $73,918 | $35.54/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $92,658 | $44.55/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Lorain Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Lorain, OH, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$41,705
$3,475.45/month · $1,604.05/biweekly · Effective Rate: 19.9%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $1,604.05 take-home per paycheck after estimated Ohio and federal taxes. For the 26-paycheck formula, three-paycheck months, and withholding examples, see the Biweekly Paycheck Calculator.
Gross Pay
$52,055
Federal Tax
-$4,067
State Tax
-$1,822
Local Tax
-$479
FICA
-$3,982
Net Pay
$41,705
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $4,337.92 | $52,055.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$338.88 | -$4,066.60 |
| Ohio State Tax (3.5%) | -$151.83 | -$1,821.93 |
| Local Tax (0.92%) | -$39.91 | -$478.91 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$268.95 | -$3,227.41 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$62.90 | -$754.80 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,475.45 | $41,705.36 |
Salary Comparison: Lorain vs Other Cities
See how Lorain's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lorain, OH | $52,055 | 85.2 | $61,097 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Kendale Lakes, FL | $52,038 | 106.6 | $48,816 |
| Granite City, IL | $52,073 | 91.9 | $56,663 |
| Kentwood, MI | $52,033 | 85.8 | $60,645 |
| Northbrook, IL | $52,081 | 92.1 | $56,548 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Lorain
Lorain's cost of living index is 85.2 (national average = 100). Living in Lorain is 14.799999999999997% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$209,000
Median Monthly Rent
$869
Annual Rent Cost
$10,428
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $41,705 annual take-home pay in Lorain has the purchasing power of approximately $48,950 in an average-cost US area. Your $52,055 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Lorain
Lorain's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $52,055.
Salary Tips for Lorain Workers
- Your salary goes further here. Lorain has a cost of living 14.799999999999997% below the national average. A salary of $52,055 here has the purchasing power of about $61,097 in an average-cost area.
- Research top industries. Lorain's top industries include Manufacturing, Healthcare, Finance. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $52,055 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Lorain salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Lorain-OH metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Lorain indexed at 85.2.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Lorain's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $52,055 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Ohio state income tax (3.5%), plus Lorain local tax of 0.92%, sales tax (5.75%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Lorain: 4.1%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Manufacturing, Healthcare, Finance — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1.9% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Ohio.
- Housing context: median home price $209,000, median rent $869/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Lorain, OH:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Lorain unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Lorain QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — Ohio — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Lorain's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent Ohio labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly wage in Lorain, OH?
The median hourly wage in Lorain, OH is $25.03 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $52,055 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $15.52/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $35.54/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Lorain, OH?
The median salary in Lorain, OH is $52,055 per year, or $25.03 per hour. The average salary is $58,302. This is $7,329 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Lorain, OH?
Lorain's cost of living index is 85.2 (national average = 100), meaning it is 14.799999999999997% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $209,000 and the median monthly rent is $869.
What are the best industries in Lorain?
The top industries in Lorain, OH include Manufacturing, Healthcare, Finance. The city has a job growth rate of 1.9% and an unemployment rate of 4.1%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $52,055.
How does Lorain's salary compare to other cities?
Lorain's median salary of $52,055 is 12.3% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 85.2), the real purchasing power is approximately $61,097.
What is the minimum wage in Lorain, OH?
The minimum wage in Lorain, OH is $10.45 per hour. This equals approximately $21,736 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This is $3.20 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.