Welder Hourly Pay in Salem, OR: $28.59 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Salem, OR runs $28.59 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,461 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Salem's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.6, 4% above national), each hour of work buys what $27.58 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,676 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Salem, Oregon, the welder hourly pay is estimated at $28.59 for 2026, which exceeds the national median hourly rate of $26.87. This competitive rate allows for a sustainable livelihood, particularly beneficial for part-time welders working three days a week, or for those engaged in per-diem setups across various environments such as fabrication shops or energy infrastructure projects. The hourly earnings for Salem welders range from $23.05 at entry-level positions to $36.32 for the most experienced professionals. These pay figures, derived from official BLS data, highlight how welders engaged in specialized sectors, like nuclear containment areas or busy shipyards, can leverage their skills for greater compensation.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.05 | $184.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.44 | $195.50 |
| Median (P50) | $28.59 | $228.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.27 | $242.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.32 | $290.59 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Salem
Based on $28.59/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.59/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Salem, OR can expect to earn approximately $59,461 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,304. With a cost-of-living index of 103.65 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Salem.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Salem
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,143.47 | $4,955 | $59,461 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $686.08 | $2,973 | $35,676 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $457.39 | $1,982 | $23,784 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Salem) | $28.59 |
| 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 Salem, OR earn a median of $59,461 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.38% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 0.20% above the Oregon state average of $59,343.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.59/hr = $35,676/year (purchasing power: $34,420).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,461/year (purchasing power: $57,367).
CoL index: 103.649 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$22.90/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.49/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.59/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.90/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.30/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.41/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.33/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.75/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.25/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.49/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.59/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.73/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Salem grew 20.0% from $22.90/hr (2019) to $27.49/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.73/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 Salem 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 Salem
Exploring the financial dynamics in the welding field reveals substantial earning potential through part-time arrangements or specialized contracts. A welder working a schedule of 24 hours weekly can expect an annual take-home pay significantly lower than their full-time counterparts, but many choose this path to balance work-life commitments. Per diem welders in Salem may command additional daily allowances of $80 to $175, depending on the project, while pipeline welders could secure base rates of $40 to $70 per hour. In high-pressure scenarios, such as refinery turnarounds, earnings can surge, offering up to $80 hourly plus overtime. Different employer types—ranging from structural steel fabricators to aerospace manufacturers—can influence hourly rates, with some welders accepting less pay for the security of benefits. Negotiating hourly pay can hinge on showcasing certifications, such as AWS and 6G pipe skills, allowing professionals to leverage their expertise effectively in the Salem market.
More salary data for Salem, 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 Salem. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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