New research highlights the significant economic contributions of immigrants in Ohio, revealing they earned $27.3 billion and paid $7.3 billion in taxes in 2023.
Immigrants in Ohio play a vital role in the state’s economy, according to a recent report from the American Immigration Council. The study, conducted in partnership with Ohio Business for Immigration Solutions, reveals that immigrants not only fill essential roles in critical industries but also contribute billions in taxes annually.
In 2023, immigrants in Ohio earned an impressive $27.3 billion in income and paid $7.3 billion in local, state, and federal taxes. This financial contribution underscores their importance to the state’s economic landscape, as they help sustain local businesses and communities.
“Immigrants are essential to Ohio’s future, powering the state’s workforce, strengthening critical industries, and paying billions in taxes that communities depend on every day,” said Rich André, Director of State and Local Initiatives at the American Immigration Council.
The report highlights the ongoing workforce shortages in Ohio, which are placing significant strain on businesses. Jaclyn Ringstmeier, Executive Director of the Greater Medina Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the importance of immigrants in addressing these challenges. “As this new report highlights, immigrants play a vital role in driving economic growth and sustaining Ohio’s future,” she stated.
Key findings from the report illustrate the critical contributions of immigrants to Ohio’s workforce:
First, immigrants are helping to fill the state’s workplace shortages and are well-positioned to meet future labor needs. From 2019 to 2024, the number of online job postings in Ohio increased by 8.2 percent. In 2023, 75.5 percent of immigrants were active in the labor force, and they were 29.4 percent more likely to be of working age compared to their U.S.-born counterparts. This demonstrates that immigrants are already addressing the growing demand for workers and are poised to continue contributing actively to the workforce.
Second, the financial impact of immigrants in Ohio is substantial. In addition to earning $27.3 billion, their tax contributions of $7.3 billion leave them with $20 billion in spending power. This spending supports local businesses and fuels economic growth, helping to keep local economic corridors vibrant.
Moreover, immigrants are uniquely positioned to meet critical multilingual needs in the workforce. From 2019 to 2024, the number of job postings requiring or prioritizing bilingual skills in Ohio surged by 39.2 percent. Immigrants often possess the multilingual skills necessary to fill these positions, further enhancing their value in the job market.
Despite their contributions, Ohio is underutilizing its immigrant talent. Many immigrants with specialized training and skills acquired abroad face barriers such as relicensing and language proficiency, preventing them from working in their fields. As a result, in 2023, 43.7 percent of immigrants with a college education were employed in jobs that did not require a college degree.
The report emphasizes the need for policies that can better integrate immigrants into the workforce, allowing them to utilize their skills and education effectively. By doing so, Ohio can harness the full potential of its immigrant population, driving further economic growth and stability.
For more detailed information on how immigrants are supporting Ohio’s workforce, tax base, and economic growth, the full factsheet is available for review.
About the American Immigration Council: The American Immigration Council works to create a more welcoming and fair immigration system. Through litigation, research, and programs that expand access to legal assistance, the Council ensures that immigrants are embraced, communities are enriched, and justice prevails for all.
About Ohio Business for Immigration Solutions: Ohio Business for Immigration Solutions (OBIS) is a coalition of over 100 Ohio businesses, trade associations, chambers of commerce, and economic development groups advocating for the modernization of the immigration system to benefit the state’s economy. Launched on December 10, 2020, OBIS released the Ohio Compact on Immigration, a set of principles aimed at promoting immigration reforms that will strengthen the economy, attract global talent, and foster new business growth in the Buckeye State. OBIS supports sensible public policy solutions that transcend partisanship and rhetoric while recognizing the valuable contributions immigrants make to Ohio.
According to the American Immigration Council, the findings of this report highlight the essential role immigrants play in Ohio’s economy.