Welder Hourly Pay in Chillicothe, OH: $23.41 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Chillicothe, OH runs $23.41 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,696 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Chillicothe's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.7, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.81 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,213 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Chillicothe, Ohio, offers welders a median hourly rate of $23.41, which comes in below the national median of $26.87. This wage translates into various opportunities depending on hours worked. For welders pursuing part-time options at three days per week—approximately 24 hours—earnings can amount to around $29,300 annually, which is meaningful for those seeking supplementary income or flexibility. The hourly pay structure for welders in Chillicothe ranges from an entry-level rate of $17.24 to $32.40 for the top earners, encompassing a range of environments like fabrication shops, shipyards, and mobile rig setups. Such settings provide an array of earnings possibilities, reflecting the diverse intricacies involved in welding operations.
About the Chillicothe Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.24 | $137.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.68 | $173.46 |
| Median (P50) | $23.41 | $187.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.12 | $216.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $32.40 | $259.23 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chillicothe
Based on $23.41/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.41/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chillicothe, OH can expect to earn approximately $48,689 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,090. With a cost-of-living index of 90.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Chillicothe.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chillicothe
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $936.33 | $4,057 | $48,689 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $561.80 | $2,434 | $29,213 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $374.53 | $1,623 | $19,476 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Chillicothe) | $23.41 |
| 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 Chillicothe, OH earn a median of $48,696 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.88% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 5.80% below the Ohio state average of $51,695.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.41/hr = $29,213/year (purchasing power: $32,209).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,689/year (purchasing power: $53,681).
CoL index: 90.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.79/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.51/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.41/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Chillicothe (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.79/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.51/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.69/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.91/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.50/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.17/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.51/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.41/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.34/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Chillicothe grew 26.5% from $17.79/hr (2019) to $22.51/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.34/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 Chillicothe 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 Chillicothe
Part-time welders in Chillicothe can see earnings that vary significantly from those working full-time due to the number of hours logged. While the part-time earnings can be modest, welders aiming for per diem work may benefit greatly. For example, traveling pipe welders often receive base rates of $40-$70 per hour, along with per diem compensation ranging from $80 to $175 daily. Such arrangements are common in refinery turnaround projects, where rates jump to $50-$80 an hour, especially during weekend shifts that may offer time-and-a-half. Employers ranging from structural steel fabrication facilities to the oil and gas sector have distinct pay grades, and welders should consider trade-offs like benefits against the allure of higher hourly wage rates without health insurance. Effective negotiation strategies are crucial in Chillicothe; welders should assess their unique skills, certifications—especially in specialty areas like 6G or nuclear welding—and adapt their compensation discussions accordingly to maximize their welder hourly pay.
More salary data for Chillicothe, OH:
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 Chillicothe. 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 Chillicothe 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