Welder Hourly Pay in Westerville, OH: $24.53 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Westerville, OH runs $24.53 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,033 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Westerville's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.7, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.05 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,615 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Westerville, Ohio, the current welder hourly rate stands at $24.53, which falls short of the national median of $26.87. For those considering part-time or per-diem work in various environments like fabrication shops or pipeline welding stations, this hourly wage means that a welder working three days a week can expect a flexible but modest income. The hourly pay for welders in Westerville ranges from $18.24 at the entry-level to $33.40 for the top earners, illustrating the potential for substantial earnings in specialized areas. Estimates for these hourly rates are derived from projected annual salary data, portraying a real picture of what welders might earn in different roles, whether they are stationed at manufacturing plants or engaged in mobile rig setups.
About the Westerville 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) | $18.24 | $145.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.34 | $170.71 |
| Median (P50) | $24.53 | $196.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.87 | $222.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $33.40 | $267.21 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Westerville
Based on $24.53/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.53/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Westerville, OH can expect to earn approximately $51,025 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,437. With a cost-of-living index of 90.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Westerville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Westerville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $981.25 | $4,252 | $51,025 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $588.75 | $2,551 | $30,615 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $392.50 | $1,701 | $20,410 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Westerville) | $24.53 |
| 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 Westerville, OH earn a median of $51,033 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.70% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 1.30% below the Ohio state average of $51,705.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.53/hr = $30,615/year (purchasing power: $33,754).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,025/year (purchasing power: $56,257).
CoL index: 90.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.65/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.59/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.53/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Westerville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.65/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.39/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.63/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.86/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.48/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.23/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.59/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.53/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.51/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Westerville grew 26.5% from $18.65/hr (2019) to $23.59/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.51/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 Westerville 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 Westerville
The financial outlook for welders in Westerville becomes more dynamic when considering annual earnings based on variable work schedules. A welder working part-time 24 hours a week would earn approximately $28,715 annually, significantly lower than their full-time counterparts. Welders who take on per-diem roles typically enjoy extra income; it's not uncommon for traveling pipe welders to garner $80-$175 a day in per diem, in addition to base hourly rates of $40-$70. Contextually, refinery shutdowns can push hourly wages as high as $80, with additional pay for weekends; while specialized rig welders often command between $90-$160 hourly, factoring in their equipment costs. With varied employer types in the region—from structural steel fabrication shops to aerospace welding—the trade-off between hourly rates and benefits can be significant. It’s critical for welders to negotiate based on these aspects, balancing immediate pay against health insurance options and job security in the competitive Westerville welding market.
More salary data for Westerville, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Westerville. 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 Westerville 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