Welders Salary

Clarksburg vs Weirton: Welder Salary (2026)

Compare welder salaries between Clarksburg, WV and Weirton, WV. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Clarksburg, WV
$47,221
$22.70/hr
Weirton, WV
$57,621
$27.70/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricClarksburg, WVWeirton, WV
Median Salary$47,221$57,621
Hourly Rate$22.70$27.70
Entry Level (P10)$37,796$39,225
25th Percentile$42,849$44,237
75th Percentile$54,946$63,829
Top Earner (P90)$63,915$90,586
Total Employed4180
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Clarksburg ($47,221) and Weirton ($57,621) welder salaries.ClarksburgWeirtonMedian Salary$47,221$57,621Entry Level (P10)$37,796$39,225Top Earner (P90)$63,915$90,586US Median $55,895

Verdict

Weirton, WV offers better overall compensation for welders, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Clarksburg.

The salary gap between Clarksburg and Weirton is $10,400 (22.02%). Weirton's median is +3.09% compared to the US national median of $55,895.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Clarksburg spans $26,119,Weirton spans $51,361. Weirton has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced welders.

Clarksburg
P10 (Entry)$37,796
P25$42,849
Median$47,221
P75$54,946
P90 (Top)$63,915
Weirton
P10 (Entry)$39,225
P25$44,237
Median$57,621
P75$63,829
P90 (Top)$90,586

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Weirton ($64,725 effective) pays 18.56% more than Clarksburg ($54,591 effective).

Clarksburg
Nominal: $47,221
CoL Index: 86.5
Adjusted: $54,591
Weirton
Nominal: $57,621
CoL Index: 89.024
Adjusted: $64,725

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Clarksburg if…

  • You prefer the West Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Weirton if…

  • Higher median salary ($57,621/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($90,586)
  • Larger job market (180 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $64,725)
  • You prefer the West Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, welder salaries in Clarksburg grew 23.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 48.2% growth in Weirton over the same period.

Clarksburg, WV

+23.0%

$36,904 (2024) → $45,409 (2025)

Weirton, WV

+48.2%

$37,380 (2019) → $55,410 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays welders more: Clarksburg or Weirton?

Weirton has a higher median welder salary at $57,621/year, compared to Clarksburg at $47,221/year — a difference of $10,400 (22.02%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Clarksburg and Weirton?

Clarksburg welders earn $22.70/hr while Weirton hygienists earn $27.70/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Clarksburg to Weirton as a welder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Clarksburg and Weirton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Clarksburg = $54,591, Weirton = $64,725), job availability (4 vs 180 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level welders earn in Clarksburg vs Weirton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) welders earn $37,796 in Clarksburg and $39,225 in Weirton. The Weirton area offers higher starting salaries.
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