Welder Hourly Pay in Biddeford, ME: $25.32 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Biddeford, ME runs $25.32 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $52,672 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Biddeford's regional price level (BEA RPP 99.6, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $25.42 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,601 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the welder hourly pay in Biddeford, ME, is projected to reach a median of $25.32, slightly below the national median of $26.87. This translates to various earning potentials for part-time and per-diem workers within the industry, especially in environments like fabrication shops or shipyards. Those working three days a week might earn around $1,520 monthly based on 24 hours, offering a viable income stream while maintaining flexibility. Entry-level welders earn approximately $18.97 per hour, while top earners can bring in about $33.77 hourly in this market. The hourly range reflects the diversity of welding tasks available, from structural to pipeline welding, accommodating both novice welders and highly experienced professionals seeking lucrative opportunities day-to-day.
About the Biddeford Market
Salary estimated from Maine average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.97 | $151.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.04 | $176.28 |
| Median (P50) | $25.32 | $202.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.53 | $228.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $33.77 | $270.12 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Biddeford
Based on $25.32/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.32/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Biddeford, ME can expect to earn approximately $52,669 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,386. With a cost-of-living index of 99.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Biddeford.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Biddeford
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,012.86 | $4,389 | $52,669 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $607.72 | $2,633 | $31,601 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $405.15 | $1,756 | $21,068 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Biddeford) | $25.32 |
| Machinist (National Avg) | $25.72 |
| Sheet Metal Worker (National Avg) | $28.93 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic (National Avg) | $29.53 |
| Boilermaker (National Avg) | $35.08 |
Welders in Biddeford, ME earn a median of $52,672 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.77% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 5.40% below the Maine state average of $55,679.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.32/hr = $31,601/year (purchasing power: $31,728).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $52,669/year (purchasing power: $52,880).
CoL index: 99.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.25/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.35/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.32/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Biddeford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.25/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.02/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.30/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.54/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.17/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.56/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.35/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.32/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.33/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Biddeford grew 26.5% from $19.25/hr (2019) to $24.35/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.33/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem welders can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Biddeford metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.99% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Welder in Biddeford
Looking deeper into Biddeford's welding sector, part-time welders who work 24 hours weekly can expect to take home around $18,240 annually, a fraction compared to full-time peers who generally earn significantly more. With the growing demand in fields such as oil and gas pipeline welding or nuclear power maintenance, per diem welder pay in Biddeford can elevate earnings substantially. For example, traveling pipe welders often earn a base pay of $40-$70 per hour, supplemented by per diem rates ranging from $80 to $175 daily. Skilled rig welder owner-operators command billing rates of $90-$160 hourly, while underwater welders can exceed $1,000 daily during peak seasons. Hourly wages here vary widely depending on employer types, from fabrication shops to aerospace industries, often balancing between premium pay and benefits. Welders might accept lower rates for jobs with health insurance coverage, as opposed to higher hourly wages without those perks. Negotiation strategies become critical for hourly workers, especially in a market where certain credentials, like 6G certifications, can command higher pay rates.
More salary data for Biddeford, ME:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for welders in Biddeford. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Biddeford is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.99%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for welders (SOC 51-4121).
Compiled and verified by James Mendoza, AWS Certified Welder, a licensed welder with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov