Welders Salary

Avon Lake vs Cleveland: Welder Salary (2026)

Compare welder salaries between Avon Lake, OH and Cleveland, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Avon Lake, OH
$47,646
$22.91/hr
Cleveland, OH
$50,997
$24.52/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAvon Lake, OHCleveland, OH
Median Salary$47,646$50,997
Hourly Rate$22.91$24.52
Entry Level (P10)$37,546$40,899
25th Percentile$42,853$46,400
75th Percentile$55,038$61,198
Top Earner (P90)$63,897$71,379
Total Employed53,510
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Avon Lake ($47,646) and Cleveland ($50,997) welder salaries.Avon LakeClevelandMedian Salary$47,646$50,997Entry Level (P10)$37,546$40,899Top Earner (P90)$63,897$71,379US Median $55,895

Verdict

Cleveland, OH offers better overall compensation for welders, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Avon Lake.

The salary gap between Avon Lake and Cleveland is $3,351 (7.03%). Cleveland's median is -8.76% compared to the US national median of $55,895.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Avon Lake spans $26,351,Cleveland spans $30,480. Cleveland has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced welders.

Avon Lake
P10 (Entry)$37,546
P25$42,853
Median$47,646
P75$55,038
P90 (Top)$63,897
Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$40,899
P25$46,400
Median$50,997
P75$61,198
P90 (Top)$71,379

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cleveland ($54,297 effective) pays 3.36% more than Avon Lake ($52,531 effective).

Avon Lake
Nominal: $47,646
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $52,531
Cleveland
Nominal: $50,997
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $54,297

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Avon Lake if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Cleveland if…

  • Higher median salary ($50,997/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($71,379)
  • Larger job market (3,510 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $54,297)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, welder salaries in Avon Lake grew 1.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 23.6% growth in Cleveland over the same period.

Avon Lake, OH

+1.5%

$45,120 (2024) → $45,818 (2025)

Cleveland, OH

+23.6%

$39,670 (2019) → $49,040 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays welders more: Avon Lake or Cleveland?

Cleveland has a higher median welder salary at $50,997/year, compared to Avon Lake at $47,646/year — a difference of $3,351 (7.03%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Avon Lake and Cleveland?

Avon Lake welders earn $22.91/hr while Cleveland hygienists earn $24.52/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Avon Lake to Cleveland as a welder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Avon Lake and Cleveland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Avon Lake = $52,531, Cleveland = $54,297), job availability (5 vs 3,510 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level welders earn in Avon Lake vs Cleveland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) welders earn $37,546 in Avon Lake and $40,899 in Cleveland. The Cleveland area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JM

Written by James Mendoza, AWS Certified Welder

Career Analyst

James has over 10 years of experience in welding. He specializes in MIG and TIG welding. He has worked in various manufacturing settings.

Clinically reviewed by Priya Singh, CWIData verified by Liam O'Connor, Welding Instructor

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.99% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by James Mendoza, AWS Certified Welder, a licensed welder with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov