Welder Hourly Pay in Happy Valley, OR: $27.12 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Happy Valley, OR runs $27.12 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,416 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Happy Valley's regional price level (BEA RPP 102.6, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $26.43 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,846 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Welders in Happy Valley, Oregon, earn a median hourly rate of $27.12, slightly above the national median of $26.87. This rate offers substantial earning potential for professionals in various settings, whether employed part-time in fabrication shop production lines or working on per-diem contracts at pipeline welding stations and refinery turnaround projects. The hourly pay ranges from $20.53 for entry-level positions to as much as $37.99 for experienced welders, indicating a healthy economic environment for those in the profession. Estimated hourly rates are derived from annual salary data and reflect the demand for certified welders, including those with significant qualifications like AWS, NCCER, or specialized certifications, which can positively impact their pay in positions across various industries.
About the Happy Valley 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) | $20.53 | $164.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.77 | $190.18 |
| Median (P50) | $27.12 | $216.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.18 | $241.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.99 | $303.90 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Happy Valley
Based on $27.12/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.12/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Happy Valley, OR can expect to earn approximately $56,411 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,545. With a cost-of-living index of 102.60 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Happy Valley.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Happy Valley
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,084.82 | $4,701 | $56,411 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $650.89 | $2,821 | $33,846 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $433.93 | $1,880 | $22,564 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Happy Valley) | $27.12 |
| 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 Happy Valley, OR earn a median of $56,416 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.93% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 4.90% below the Oregon state average of $59,322.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.12/hr = $33,846/year (purchasing power: $32,989).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,411/year (purchasing power: $54,981).
CoL index: 102.6 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$20.62/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.08/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.12/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Happy Valley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.62/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.44/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.81/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.07/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.75/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.21/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.08/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.12/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.20/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Happy Valley grew 26.5% from $20.62/hr (2019) to $26.08/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.20/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 Happy Valley 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 Happy Valley
For welders considering part-time opportunities, working three days a week can result in a substantial income. A welding professional working 24 hours weekly could net around $42,000 annually, a compelling figure relative to full-time earnings. Many welders take advantage of per-diem work, where traveling welders can earn an additional $80 to $175 daily on top of their base wage, significantly enhancing their overall pay. Rates can vary dramatically across different employer types in Happy Valley, with structural and pipeline welders often commanding higher wages compared to those in manufacturing or construction roles. Additionally, industry-specific factors influence remuneration: for example, underwater welders might earn daily rates exceeding $1,000 during peak seasons, while rig welders operating their own setups can bill between $90 and $160 hourly. In this competitive market, negotiating rates, especially when choosing between union benefits or higher payments in non-union settings, remains crucial for maximizing earnings in this skilled trade.
More salary data for Happy Valley, 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 Happy Valley. 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 Happy Valley 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