Welder Hourly Pay in Forest Grove, OR: $27.85 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Forest Grove, OR runs $27.85 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,916 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Forest Grove's regional price level (BEA RPP 102.6, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $27.14 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,755 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Forest Grove, Oregon, the welder hourly rate is projected to reach $27.85 in 2026, surpassing the national median of $26.87. This figure is particularly relevant for those considering part-time work or per-diem opportunities in the area. For example, a welder working three days a week can still command a respectable income while benefiting from flexible schedules that suit personal commitments. The hourly range for welders in the region spans from $20.22 for entry-level positions to $38.32 for seasoned professionals, illustrating a healthy earning potential that reflects experience and specialization, especially for those versed in techniques such as TIG welding and other high-demand processes. Moreover, these hourly rates are estimated based on annual salary projections, which lend credibility to their viability in the local market.
About the Forest Grove Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.22 | $161.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.84 | $190.76 |
| Median (P50) | $27.85 | $222.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.87 | $254.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.32 | $306.56 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Forest Grove
Based on $27.85/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.85/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Forest Grove, OR can expect to earn approximately $57,925 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,418. With a cost-of-living index of 102.60 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Forest Grove.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Forest Grove
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,113.94 | $4,827 | $57,925 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $668.36 | $2,896 | $34,755 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $445.58 | $1,931 | $23,170 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Forest Grove) | $27.85 |
| 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 Forest Grove, OR earn a median of $57,916 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.62% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 2.40% below the Oregon state average of $59,340.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.85/hr = $34,755/year (purchasing power: $33,874).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,925/year (purchasing power: $56,457).
CoL index: 102.6 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$21.17/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.78/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.85/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Forest Grove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.17/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.02/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.42/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.69/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.38/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.93/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.78/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.85/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.96/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Forest Grove grew 26.5% from $21.17/hr (2019) to $26.78/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.96/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 Forest Grove 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 Forest Grove
Examining earnings further reveals that a part-time welder working 24 hours a week may take home around $43,392 annually, significantly lower than their full-time counterparts. For welders engaging in per-diem or agency work, the financial landscape can be notably lucrative, with traveling pipe welders earning $40-$70 per hour, often supplemented by daily per diem rates ranging from $80 to $175. Specialized roles, such as refinery turnaround welders during peak shutdown periods, can pay between $50 to $80 per hour, sometimes even doubling during weekends. This variability in hourly pay across employer types—from structural fabrication shops to aerospace manufacturing—can impact overall earnings significantly. Many welders must weigh the trade-off between higher hourly rates and benefits like health insurance offered in full-time roles. Negotiating for favorable terms in Forest Grove requires clarity on the value of both hourly pay and the packages associated with their work, especially in an industry facing a demand surge due to an aging workforce.
More salary data for Forest Grove, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for welders in Forest Grove in 2026?
How much do part-time welders make in Forest Grove?
Are welders in Forest Grove paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time welder make per year in Forest Grove?
Do welders earn more per hour working part-time in Forest Grove?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Oregon
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 Forest Grove. 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 Forest Grove 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