Welders Salary

Cleveland Heights vs Cleveland: Welder Salary (2026)

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

Cleveland Heights, OH
$49,078
$23.60/hr
Cleveland, OH
$50,997
$24.52/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland Heights, OHCleveland, OH
Median Salary$49,078$50,997
Hourly Rate$23.60$24.52
Entry Level (P10)$37,388$40,899
25th Percentile$43,338$46,400
75th Percentile$56,392$61,198
Top Earner (P90)$67,871$71,379
Total Employed93,510
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland Heights ($49,078) and Cleveland ($50,997) welder salaries.Cleveland HeightsClevelandMedian Salary$49,078$50,997Entry Level (P10)$37,388$40,899Top Earner (P90)$67,871$71,379US Median $55,895

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cleveland Heights and Cleveland is $1,919 (3.91%). 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 Cleveland Heights spans $30,483,Cleveland spans $30,480. Cleveland Heights has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cleveland Heights
P10 (Entry)$37,388
P25$43,338
Median$49,078
P75$56,392
P90 (Top)$67,871
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 0.34% more than Cleveland Heights ($54,110 effective).

Cleveland Heights
Nominal: $49,078
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $54,110
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 Cleveland Heights 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 Cleveland Heights grew 1.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 23.6% growth in Cleveland over the same period.

Cleveland Heights, OH

+1.5%

$46,477 (2024) → $47,195 (2025)

Cleveland, OH

+23.6%

$39,670 (2019) → $49,040 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays welders more: Cleveland Heights or Cleveland?

Cleveland has a higher median welder salary at $50,997/year, compared to Cleveland Heights at $49,078/year — a difference of $1,919 (3.91%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland Heights and Cleveland?

Cleveland Heights welders earn $23.60/hr while Cleveland hygienists earn $24.52/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cleveland Heights to Cleveland as a welder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland Heights and Cleveland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland Heights = $54,110, Cleveland = $54,297), job availability (9 vs 3,510 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level welders earn in Cleveland Heights vs Cleveland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) welders earn $37,388 in Cleveland Heights 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