Welders Salary

Cincinnati vs Shaker Heights: Welder Salary (2026)

Compare welder salaries between Cincinnati, OH and Shaker Heights, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cincinnati, OH
$54,064
$25.99/hr
Shaker Heights, OH
$49,869
$23.98/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCincinnati, OHShaker Heights, OH
Median Salary$54,064$49,869
Hourly Rate$25.99$23.98
Entry Level (P10)$41,034$39,236
25th Percentile$48,927$44,999
75th Percentile$64,723$56,392
Top Earner (P90)$76,921$70,362
Total Employed3,1607
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cincinnati ($54,064) and Shaker Heights ($49,869) welder salaries.CincinnatiShaker HeightsMedian Salary$54,064$49,869Entry Level (P10)$41,034$39,236Top Earner (P90)$76,921$70,362US Median $55,895

Verdict

Cincinnati, OH offers better overall compensation for welders, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Shaker Heights.

The salary gap between Cincinnati and Shaker Heights is $4,195 (8.41%). Cincinnati's median is -3.28% compared to the US national median of $55,895.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cincinnati spans $35,887,Shaker Heights spans $31,126. Cincinnati has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cincinnati
P10 (Entry)$41,034
P25$48,927
Median$54,064
P75$64,723
P90 (Top)$76,921
Shaker Heights
P10 (Entry)$39,236
P25$44,999
Median$49,869
P75$56,392
P90 (Top)$70,362

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cincinnati ($56,689 effective) pays 3.10% more than Shaker Heights ($54,982 effective).

Cincinnati
Nominal: $54,064
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $56,689
Shaker Heights
Nominal: $49,869
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $54,982

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cincinnati if…

  • Higher median salary ($54,064/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($76,921)
  • Larger job market (3,160 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $56,689)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Shaker Heights if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, welder salaries in Cincinnati grew 33.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 1.5% growth in Shaker Heights over the same period.

Cincinnati, OH

+33.6%

$38,910 (2019) → $51,990 (2025)

Shaker Heights, OH

+1.5%

$47,226 (2024) → $47,956 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays welders more: Cincinnati or Shaker Heights?

Cincinnati has a higher median welder salary at $54,064/year, compared to Shaker Heights at $49,869/year — a difference of $4,195 (8.41%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cincinnati and Shaker Heights?

Cincinnati welders earn $25.99/hr while Shaker Heights hygienists earn $23.98/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cincinnati to Shaker Heights as a welder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cincinnati and Shaker Heights. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cincinnati = $56,689, Shaker Heights = $54,982), job availability (3,160 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level welders earn in Cincinnati vs Shaker Heights?

Entry-level (10th percentile) welders earn $41,034 in Cincinnati and $39,236 in Shaker Heights. The Cincinnati 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