 The aerospace and defense industry employs 16 @,@ 000 Ohioans . Employment has been increasing after 2003 , despite an overall decrease in employment since the industry 's peak at 37 @,@ 000 employees in 1990 . In 2005 , Ohio ranked fifth among US states in the production of aerospace products and parts , and eighth in the number of aerospace industry workers . Recently the states ' employees have ranked # 1 in value produced per worker . Ohioan workers in the aerospace industry made an annual average salary of $ 75 @,@ 765 in 2005 , compared to $ 48 @,@ 208 in for workers in the manufacturing sector generally . Nearly 75 % of the state 's aerospace and defense employees work in the aircraft engine manufacturing sub @-@ sector ; only Connecticut has larger aircraft engine workforce . 
