Welder Hourly Pay in Gresham, OR: $29.18 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Gresham, OR runs $29.18 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,698 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Gresham's regional price level (BEA RPP 102.6, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $28.44 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,416 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Gresham, Oregon, the welder hourly rate is projected to be $29.18 in 2026, outpacing the national hourly median of $26.87 by approximately 8.59%. This higher compensation reflects the region's demand for skilled welders across various industries, including fabrication shops, pipeline welding, and manufacturing sectors. For part-time welders working three days a week, this rate means they could earn about $1,401 weekly. Additionally, Gresham welders can expect to see hourly earnings ranging from $20.41 for entry-level positions to as much as $41.45 for those at the top of their field, illustrating the potential for significant income based on skill level and experience. Such figures indicate a favorable environment for both contract and hourly work, making Gresham an attractive location for welders considering their career paths in Oregon.
About the Gresham 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) | $20.41 | $163.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.60 | $196.83 |
| Median (P50) | $29.18 | $233.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.87 | $270.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.45 | $331.60 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Gresham
Based on $29.18/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.18/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Gresham, OR can expect to earn approximately $60,694 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,016. With a cost-of-living index of 102.60 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Gresham.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Gresham
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,167.18 | $5,058 | $60,694 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $700.31 | $3,035 | $36,416 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $466.87 | $2,023 | $24,277 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Gresham) | $29.18 |
| 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 Gresham, OR earn a median of $60,698 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.59% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 2.30% above the Oregon state average of $59,333.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.18/hr = $36,416/year (purchasing power: $35,493).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,694/year (purchasing power: $59,156).
CoL index: 102.6 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$22.18/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.06/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.18/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Gresham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.18/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.07/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.54/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.82/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.55/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.27/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.06/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.18/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.34/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Gresham grew 26.5% from $22.18/hr (2019) to $28.06/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.34/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 Gresham 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 Gresham
Focusing on the potential earnings for part-time welders, a worker putting in 24 hours a week could take home around $36,588 annually, whereas full-time welders might substantially increase their incomes. Many welders engage in per diem work, especially traveling pipe welders, who often earn an additional $80 to $175 daily on top of base rates ranging from $40 to $70 per hour. During shutdowns, refinery turnaround welders can command $50 to $80 an hour, with opportunities for double-time on weekends. Similarly, rig welder owner-operators billing $90 to $160 per hour benefit significantly from their equipment and experience. However, those in positions that offer health insurance may see lower hourly rates compared to freelance welders who often choose higher pay without benefits. Negotiation strategies can play a vital role in maximizing earnings, particularly in Gresham's diverse welding market, where awareness of industry certifications like AWS and NQA-1 can provide an additional edge when discussing compensation.
More salary data for Gresham, OR:
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 Gresham. 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 Gresham 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