Welder Hourly Pay in Mentor, OH: $23.86 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Mentor, OH runs $23.86 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,620 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Mentor's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.7, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.30 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,771 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the welder hourly pay in Mentor, Ohio is projected to hit a median of $23.86, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $26.87. This figure is significant for both part-time workers and those in per-diem positions, which are common in various settings such as fabrication shops and pipeline welding operations. For a part-time welder working three days a week, this rate can lead to reliable earnings while providing flexibility. Entry-level welders might earn around $18.57, while highly skilled professionals at the top of their game can command rates up to $34.28 per hour. With the current trends, many welders are seeking opportunities that also offer benefits, impacting the decision between accepting lower hourly wages with health insurance versus higher pay without such coverage.
About the Mentor 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) | $18.57 | $148.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.38 | $171.04 |
| Median (P50) | $23.86 | $190.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $26.84 | $214.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.28 | $274.20 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Mentor
Based on $23.86/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.86/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Mentor, OH can expect to earn approximately $49,619 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,626. With a cost-of-living index of 90.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Mentor.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Mentor
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $954.21 | $4,135 | $49,619 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $572.53 | $2,481 | $29,771 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $381.68 | $1,654 | $19,848 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Mentor) | $23.86 |
| 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 Mentor, OH earn a median of $49,620 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.23% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 4.10% below the Ohio state average of $51,741.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.86/hr = $29,771/year (purchasing power: $32,824).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,619/year (purchasing power: $54,707).
CoL index: 90.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.13/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.94/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.86/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Mentor (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.13/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.86/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.06/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.29/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.89/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.59/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.94/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.86/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.81/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Mentor grew 26.5% from $18.13/hr (2019) to $22.94/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.81/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 Mentor 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 Mentor
As for part-time earnings, a welder working only 24 hours per week at the median rate can expect to take home approximately $29,982 annually, which is considerably less than a full-time equivalent earning nearly $49,620. In Mentor, the reality of daily life for per-diem workers can fluctuate widely; traveling pipe welders frequently earn between $40-$70/hour, plus daily allowances ranging from $80 to $175. This is especially true during high-demand periods such as refinery turnarounds, where pay can reach $50-$80/hour, often doubling on weekends. Differences in hourly rates are also evident across various employer types in the area—from structural steel shops to underwater welding positions, which can yield upwards of $1,000-$3,000 daily during peak season. Welders must weigh these factors and consider the benefits of union positions which may offer more stability against the lure of higher pay in non-union settings. Negotiation skills become paramount, especially in a local market where the competition for qualified welders continues to rise.
More salary data for Mentor, 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 Mentor. 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 Mentor 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