Welder Hourly Pay in Cleveland Heights, OH: $23.60 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Cleveland Heights, OH runs $23.60 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,078 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Cleveland Heights's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.7, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.01 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,447 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, welders in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, can expect a median hourly pay of $23.60, which falls below the national median hourly rate of $26.87. This hourly wage provides a reasonable income for those working part-time, for instance, welders on a 3-day workweek could earn around $1,132.80 weekly. Typical environments such as fabrication shops, pipeline welding setups, and manufacturing plants offer varied pay depending on the complexity of the job and experience level. Entry-level welders may start around $17.98 per hour, while top earners can command up to $32.63. This range reflects the diverse skill sets required across different welding projects and industries throughout Cleveland Heights, where specific certifications like the 6G pipe qualification can significantly enhance earning potential.
About the Cleveland Heights 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) | $17.98 | $143.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.84 | $166.72 |
| Median (P50) | $23.60 | $188.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.11 | $216.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $32.63 | $261.06 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cleveland Heights
Based on $23.60/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.60/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cleveland Heights, OH can expect to earn approximately $49,078 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,314. With a cost-of-living index of 90.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cleveland Heights.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cleveland Heights
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $943.81 | $4,090 | $49,078 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $566.29 | $2,454 | $29,447 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $377.53 | $1,636 | $19,631 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Cleveland Heights) | $23.60 |
| 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 Cleveland Heights, OH earn a median of $49,078 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.20% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 5.10% below the Ohio state average of $51,716.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.60/hr = $29,447/year (purchasing power: $32,466).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,078/year (purchasing power: $54,111).
CoL index: 90.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.94/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.69/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.60/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Cleveland Heights (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.94/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.65/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.84/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.07/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.66/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.34/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.69/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.60/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.54/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Cleveland Heights grew 26.5% from $17.94/hr (2019) to $22.69/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.54/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 Cleveland Heights 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 Cleveland Heights
Labor dynamics also play a crucial role in determining actual take-home pay for welders. For example, part-time welders working 24 hours a week would generate approximately $29,185 annually, significantly less than a full-time counterpart. Per diem positions offer additional financial benefits, with traveling pipe welders earning between $40-$70 per hour, supplemented by daily per diem rates ranging from $80 to $175. Moreover, specialized roles such as refinery turnaround welders or underwater welders can lead to hourly rates significantly exceeding the median, particularly during critical operational windows. Understanding the different employer types—ranging from structural steel shops to nuclear maintenance firms—allows welders in Cleveland Heights to better negotiate their hourly rates, balancing benefits and pay for the best overall compensation package in this competitive field.
More salary data for Cleveland Heights, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for welders in Cleveland Heights in 2026?
How much do part-time welders make in Cleveland Heights?
Are welders in Cleveland Heights paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time welder make per year in Cleveland Heights?
Do welders earn more per hour working part-time in Cleveland Heights?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Ohio
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 Cleveland Heights. 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 Cleveland Heights 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