Welders Salary

Cleveland vs Cuyahoga Falls: Welder Salary (2026)

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

Cleveland, OH
$50,997
$24.52/hr
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
$51,921
$24.96/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHCuyahoga Falls, OH
Median Salary$50,997$51,921
Hourly Rate$24.52$24.96
Entry Level (P10)$40,899$36,972
25th Percentile$46,400$44,269
75th Percentile$61,198$59,687
Top Earner (P90)$71,379$72,546
Total Employed3,51011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($50,997) and Cuyahoga Falls ($51,921) welder salaries.ClevelandCuyahoga FallsMedian Salary$50,997$51,921Entry Level (P10)$40,899$36,972Top Earner (P90)$71,379$72,546US Median $55,895

Verdict

Cuyahoga Falls, OH offers better overall compensation for welders, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Cleveland.

The salary gap between Cleveland and Cuyahoga Falls is $924 (1.81%). Cuyahoga Falls's median is -7.11% compared to the US national median of $55,895.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cleveland spans $30,480,Cuyahoga Falls spans $35,574. Cuyahoga Falls has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced welders.

Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$40,899
P25$46,400
Median$50,997
P75$61,198
P90 (Top)$71,379
Cuyahoga Falls
P10 (Entry)$36,972
P25$44,269
Median$51,921
P75$59,687
P90 (Top)$72,546

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cuyahoga Falls ($57,245 effective) pays 5.43% more than Cleveland ($54,297 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $50,997
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $54,297
Cuyahoga Falls
Nominal: $51,921
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $57,245

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cleveland if…

  • Larger job market (3,510 employed)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Cuyahoga Falls if…

  • Higher median salary ($51,921/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($72,546)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $57,245)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, welder salaries in Cleveland grew 23.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 1.5% growth in Cuyahoga Falls over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+23.6%

$39,670 (2019) → $49,040 (2025)

Cuyahoga Falls, OH

+1.5%

$49,169 (2024) → $49,929 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays welders more: Cleveland or Cuyahoga Falls?

Cuyahoga Falls has a higher median welder salary at $51,921/year, compared to Cleveland at $50,997/year — a difference of $924 (1.81%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Cuyahoga Falls?

Cleveland welders earn $24.52/hr while Cuyahoga Falls hygienists earn $24.96/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cleveland to Cuyahoga Falls as a welder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Cuyahoga Falls. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $54,297, Cuyahoga Falls = $57,245), job availability (3,510 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level welders earn in Cleveland vs Cuyahoga Falls?

Entry-level (10th percentile) welders earn $40,899 in Cleveland and $36,972 in Cuyahoga Falls. 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