Welder Hourly Pay in Westlake, OH: $24.66 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Westlake, OH runs $24.66 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,282 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Westlake's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.7, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.18 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,771 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Welders in Westlake, OH, earn a median hourly rate of $24.66, which is slightly below the national median of $26.87. This hourly pay positions welders well for various work arrangements, including part-time and per-diem opportunities. In Westlake, part-time welders working three days a week could expect to take home a sizable income while still enjoying flexibility. The hourly range spans from $18.53 for entry-level positions to $33.81 for top earners, making it a profession with ample room for growth. Various settings such as fabrication shops, pipeline welding stations, and manufacturing cells demand specific skills and certifications, allowing welders to find lucrative opportunities that align with their expertise.
About the Westlake 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) | $18.53 | $148.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.59 | $172.71 |
| Median (P50) | $24.66 | $197.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.15 | $225.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $33.81 | $270.46 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Westlake
Based on $24.66/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.66/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Westlake, OH can expect to earn approximately $51,285 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,587. With a cost-of-living index of 90.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Westlake.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Westlake
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $986.24 | $4,274 | $51,285 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $591.74 | $2,564 | $30,771 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $394.50 | $1,709 | $20,514 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Westlake) | $24.66 |
| 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 Westlake, OH earn a median of $51,282 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.25% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 0.80% below the Ohio state average of $51,695.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.66/hr = $30,771/year (purchasing power: $33,926).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,285/year (purchasing power: $56,543).
CoL index: 90.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.74/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.71/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.66/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Westlake (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.74/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.49/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.74/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.97/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.59/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.35/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.71/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.66/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.64/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Westlake grew 26.5% from $18.74/hr (2019) to $23.71/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.64/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 Westlake 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 Westlake
Focusing on the financial prospects, a welder working 24 hours a week in Westlake could earn approximately $29,000 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts. However, many welders enhance their income through per-diem roles, particularly in sectors like oil and gas. Traveling pipe welders often receive daily allowances of $80-$175, in addition to hourly wages that can range from $40 to $70. During refinery shutdowns, wages typically rise to $50-$80 per hour, possibly doubling on weekends. Types of employment greatly affect pay; structural steel fabrication shops and manufacturing plants tend to offer different compensation packages than specialized roles in nuclear maintenance or underwater welding. Some welders may opt for lower hourly rates due to the benefits of health insurance and job security, while others might prefer the higher pay from contract work, relying on negotiation skills to secure favorable terms. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for welders negotiating their pay in Westlake's market.
More salary data for Westlake, 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 Westlake. 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 Westlake 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