Welder Hourly Pay in Cleveland, OH: $24.52 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Cleveland, OH runs $24.52 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,997 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Cleveland's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.9, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.11 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,602 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Cleveland, Ohio, the welder hourly pay stands at a median rate of $24.52, slightly below the national median of $26.87. This wage indicates the financial reality for welders who may be employed full-time or working part-time across diverse settings, such as manufacturing production cells, fabrication shop production lines, or even in specialized environments like nuclear power plants and shipyards. For those choosing part-time work, earning on a schedule typical of three days a week translates into the possibility of substantial weekly income, while top earners in the field can achieve rates up to $34.32 per hour. This hourly data is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, reflecting the current trend in welders' compensation in Cleveland.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.66 | $157.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.31 | $178.45 |
| Median (P50) | $24.52 | $196.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.42 | $235.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.32 | $274.53 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cleveland
Based on $24.52/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.52/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cleveland, OH can expect to earn approximately $51,003 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,425. With a cost-of-living index of 93.92 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cleveland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cleveland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $980.83 | $4,250 | $51,003 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $588.50 | $2,550 | $30,602 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $392.33 | $1,700 | $20,401 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Cleveland) | $24.52 |
| 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, OH earn a median of $50,997 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.76% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 1.40% below the Ohio state average of $51,721.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.52/hr = $30,602/year (purchasing power: $32,582).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,003/year (purchasing power: $54,303).
CoL index: 93.923 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.07/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.58/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.52/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+33.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Cleveland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.07/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.81/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.27/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.51/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.11/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.72/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.58/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.52/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.50/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Cleveland grew 23.6% from $19.07/hr (2019) to $23.58/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.50/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 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
Looking at part-time opportunities, a welder employed for 24 hours a week could expect to take home approximately $28,000 annually, substantially less than their full-time counterparts. Per diem roles, on the other hand, can significantly elevate earning potential. For example, traveling pipe welders often receive base pay between $40-$70 per hour, supplemented by per diem rates ranging from $80 to $175 daily, depending on their assignments. Additionally, welders engaged in refinery turnarounds during shutdowns can command hourly rates of $50-$80, with weekend shifts often yielding double-time. Variations in pay across different employer types in Cleveland can be stark; for instance, underwater welders enjoy compensations as high as $1,000-$3,000 per day during peak seasons. Understanding these nuances helps welders make informed decisions, whether negotiating for better rates or weighing the benefits of stable employment against higher hourly wages with no health benefits.
More salary data for Cleveland, 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 Cleveland. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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