Welders Salary

Cleveland vs Trotwood: Welder Salary (2026)

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

Cleveland, OH
$50,997
$24.52/hr
Trotwood, OH
$48,502
$23.31/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHTrotwood, OH
Median Salary$50,997$48,502
Hourly Rate$24.52$23.31
Entry Level (P10)$40,899$39,673
25th Percentile$46,400$44,670
75th Percentile$61,198$55,990
Top Earner (P90)$71,379$66,649
Total Employed3,5106
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($50,997) and Trotwood ($48,502) welder salaries.ClevelandTrotwoodMedian Salary$50,997$48,502Entry Level (P10)$40,899$39,673Top Earner (P90)$71,379$66,649US Median $55,895

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cleveland and Trotwood is $2,495 (5.14%). 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 spans $30,480,Trotwood spans $26,976. Cleveland has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$40,899
P25$46,400
Median$50,997
P75$61,198
P90 (Top)$71,379
Trotwood
P10 (Entry)$39,673
P25$44,670
Median$48,502
P75$55,990
P90 (Top)$66,649

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cleveland ($54,297 effective) pays 1.54% more than Trotwood ($53,475 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $50,997
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $54,297
Trotwood
Nominal: $48,502
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $53,475

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Trotwood if…

  • 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 Trotwood over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+23.6%

$39,670 (2019) → $49,040 (2025)

Trotwood, OH

+1.5%

$45,931 (2024) → $46,641 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays welders more: Cleveland or Trotwood?

Cleveland has a higher median welder salary at $50,997/year, compared to Trotwood at $48,502/year — a difference of $2,495 (5.14%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Trotwood?

Cleveland welders earn $24.52/hr while Trotwood hygienists earn $23.31/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cleveland to Trotwood as a welder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Trotwood. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $54,297, Trotwood = $53,475), job availability (3,510 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) welders earn $40,899 in Cleveland and $39,673 in Trotwood. 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