Quick Answer: The Ohio State University in Columbus employs approximately 35,000 people across the academic, athletic, and operations enterprise, making it one of the largest single-site employers in Ohio. (The Wexner Medical Center is a separate workforce of ~30,000 covered in our Healthcare hub.) Pay ranges from $17–$24/hr for service positions to $200,000+ for senior faculty. Apply through hr.osu.edu/careers. Ohio State offers tuition assistance for eligible employees and dependents.
Working at Ohio State University
Ohio State is a Big Ten R1 public research university and the largest employer in central Ohio outside the state government. The Columbus campus employs approximately 35,000 in academic, administrative, athletic, and operations roles; the Wexner Medical Center, which operates as a separate health-system enterprise, employs another ~30,000 and is covered in our Healthcare hub. Hiring at Ohio State runs continuously across faculty, professional staff, technical staff, food service, library, athletics, and public safety roles.
For job seekers, Ohio State offers state-employee benefits, a strong retirement structure through the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) or an alternative defined-contribution plan, and tuition assistance for self and dependents that can offset substantial education costs over a career. The university operates 15 colleges, a major research enterprise, and a regional campus system (Mansfield, Marion, Newark, Lima, Wooster).
How to Apply for Jobs at Ohio State
All Ohio State applications run through hr.osu.edu/careers, the central careers portal. Steps:
- Create an account at hr.osu.edu/careers.
- Search by category — Staff, Faculty, Student, or Temporary.
- Prepare materials. For staff: resume, cover letter, and 3 references. For faculty: CV, research statement, teaching statement, and letters of recommendation.
- Submit and monitor — staff hiring concludes 3–6 weeks after application; faculty searches run 4–6 months.
- Background check required for all positions.
Ohio State Pay Ranges
Staff (Service, Trades, and Operations)
| Role | Approximate Pay |
|---|---|
| Custodial / Food Service / Grounds | $17–$23/hr |
| Skilled Trades (HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing) | $28–$42/hr |
| Public Safety Officer | $50,000–$75,000 |
| Library Assistant / Technical | $38,000–$58,000 |
Staff (Administrative and Professional)
| Level | Approximate Pay |
|---|---|
| Administrative Assistant | $38,000–$52,000 |
| Coordinator / Specialist | $48,000–$68,000 |
| Mid-career Manager / Senior Analyst | $68,000–$105,000 |
| Director / Senior Director | $110,000–$190,000+ |
Faculty
| Rank | Approximate Pay (varies by discipline) |
|---|---|
| Lecturer / Teaching Faculty | $55,000–$82,000 |
| Assistant Professor | $85,000–$135,000 |
| Associate Professor | $105,000–$160,000 |
| Full Professor (humanities/social sciences) | $130,000–$210,000 |
| Full Professor (medicine, law, business, engineering) | $190,000–$400,000+ |
Benefits at Ohio State
Health insurance: Multiple medical plan options through Ohio State’s Health Plan, plus dental and vision.
Retirement: Ohio State employees participate in the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) or, for faculty and certain staff, the State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) or an Alternative Retirement Plan with employer contribution.
Tuition assistance: Ohio State offers tuition assistance for eligible employees and their dependents. Eligibility, percentage covered, and dependent coverage vary by employee category and program type. Confirm specifics with HR during the application or onboarding process.
How to Ask About Tuition Assistance During the Application Process
- Wait for the interview stage.
- Ask: “Could you walk me through the tuition assistance program for employees in this role? I’d like to understand eligibility, percentage covered, whether dependents qualify, and any service requirement before benefits begin.”
- Request the specifics in writing in the offer letter.
- Confirm the service requirement.
- Ask which institutions count as eligible.
Other benefits: Life and disability insurance, dependent care flexible spending account, employee assistance program, professional development, free or discounted access to OSU cultural and athletic events, and recreational facility membership.
Career Advancement at Ohio State
Ohio State operates an internal job board with priority status for current employees in many categories. Service-level employees can move up through trade certification programs; administrative assistants can advance to coordinator and program manager roles; staff can use tuition assistance to complete degrees that enable promotion. Faculty paths follow the standard tenure structure with formal review.
Unions at Ohio State
Ohio State has a moderate union footprint:
- CWA Local 4501 — classified clerical, technical, and skilled trades workers
- Ohio Nurses Association — nurses at the medical center (covered in our Healthcare hub)
- FOP Capital City Lodge 9 — OSU Police
- Service workers in some categories — AFSCME or similar local representation
Tenure-stream faculty are not unionized at Ohio State. The Wexner Medical Center has separate union structures covered in our Healthcare hub.
Skilled trades workers at Ohio State often pursue apprenticeships through union locals. For step-by-step guides on building-trade career paths (IBEW electrical training, plumber and HVAC apprenticeships, lineman programs, and others), see our Learn a Trade hub. For an overview of how union and non-union pathways differ on pay, training length, and pension, see our Union vs Non-Union Apprenticeship comparison.
Student Employment
Ohio State employs thousands of students in residence halls, dining services, library systems, recreation centers, and academic departments at hourly rates aligned with the local minimum wage. Graduate students may serve as Graduate Teaching Associates (GTAs) or Graduate Research Associates (GRAs); both include tuition waiver, stipend, and health insurance benefits during the appointment. Student positions are posted at hr.osu.edu/careers under the Student category.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for jobs at Ohio State?
All applications run through hr.osu.edu/careers. Create an account, search by Staff, Faculty, Student, or Temporary category, and submit your resume and cover letter through the portal.
What is the average pay at Ohio State?
Service positions typically pay $17–$23 per hour. Mid-career professional staff earn $68,000–$105,000. Senior staff and director-level roles pay $110,000–$190,000+. Faculty pay depends on rank and discipline, with full professors in medicine, law, and business earning $190,000–$400,000+ annually.
Does Ohio State offer tuition assistance?
Yes — Ohio State offers tuition assistance for eligible employees and their dependents. Eligibility, percentage covered, and dependent inclusion vary by program type and employee category. Confirm specifics with HR during the application process.
Are Ohio State staff jobs unionized?
Some categories. CWA Local 4501 represents classified clerical, technical, and skilled trades workers. The OSU Police are represented by FOP Capital City Lodge 9. Tenure-stream faculty are not unionized at Ohio State.
What’s the difference between Ohio State jobs and Wexner Medical Center jobs?
The Wexner Medical Center is a separate health-system enterprise within Ohio State with its own HR processes, benefits structures, and union representation. For Wexner Medical Center jobs, see our Healthcare hub. This page covers the university itself.
How long does the hiring process at Ohio State take?
Staff positions: 3–6 weeks. Senior management: 6–10 weeks. Faculty searches: 4–6 months including national search committee, on-campus visits, and job talks.