Welder Hourly Pay in Lima, OH: $42.90 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Lima, OH runs $42.90 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $89,213 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Lima's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.7, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $47.84 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $53,534 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lima, OH, the welder hourly rate is notably competitive, with a median figure of $42.90 per hour. This rate significantly exceeds the national hourly median of $26.87, highlighting Lima's thriving welding sector. For welders considering part-time employment, working three days a week can yield substantial earnings, while per-diem opportunities abound in various welding settings such as fabrication shops and pipeline welding stations. The hourly pay range for welders in Lima varies greatly, beginning at $22.31 for entry-level positions and reaching up to $42.90 for those at the top of the field. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, reflects a robust market for both new entrants and experienced welders alike.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.31 | $178.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.84 | $214.72 |
| Median (P50) | $42.90 | $343.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42.90 | $343.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.90 | $343.17 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lima
Based on $42.90/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.90/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lima, OH can expect to earn approximately $89,223 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $51,475. With a cost-of-living index of 89.67 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lima.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lima
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,715.84 | $7,435 | $89,223 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,029.50 | $4,461 | $53,534 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $686.33 | $2,974 | $35,689 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Lima) | $42.90 |
| 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 Lima, OH earn a median of $89,213 per year (2026 est.), which is 59.61% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 72.50% above the Ohio state average of $51,718.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.90/hr = $53,534/year (purchasing power: $59,702).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $89,223/year (purchasing power: $99,503).
CoL index: 89.669 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.16/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$41.25/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.90/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+84.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Lima (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.16/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.35/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.74/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.99/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.74/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.95/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $41.25/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.90/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.61/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Lima grew 70.7% from $24.16/hr (2019) to $41.25/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.61/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 Lima 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 Lima
Examining the financial dynamics of welders who work part-time, those on a 24-hour weekly schedule can anticipate an annual income considerably lower than their full-time counterparts. Still, part-time welding can provide a comfortable living, especially when supplementing with per diem work. Traveling pipe welders often earn base rates of $40-$70 per hour, coupled with daily stipends ranging from $80 to $175, greatly enhancing their income potential. During refinery shutdowns, welders might also command $50-$80 per hour and potentially double their rates over weekends. Self-employed mobile welders and underwater welders can charge premium rates, ranging from $90 to $160 per hour and even $1,000 to $3,000 daily, respectively. Understanding the nuances of employer types in Lima—from structural steel shops to nuclear power plant maintenance—can greatly influence earnings and job satisfaction. For those negotiating their hourly pay, striking a balance between higher wages and benefits such as health insurance can be crucial for long-term financial stability in Ohio's welding market.
More salary data for Lima, 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 Lima. 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