Welder Salary in Dover, DE: $50,446 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Dover, DE earns a median $50,446/year (≈ $24.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Dover's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.5), that paycheck buys what $51,736 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.3% below the Delaware state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Welders in Dover, Delaware, can expect a median annual salary of $50,446 in 2026, which reflects a competitive market in comparison to the national median of $55,895. The salary range for welders here varies significantly, with entry-level positions earning around $40,920, while top-tier professionals can make as much as $79,064. This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, illustrates the landscape for welder pay in Dover, DE. Notably, those engaged in traveling welding positions, especially in sectors like oil and gas pipeline work, may earn significantly more due to per-diem compensation structures, which can boost pay substantially compared to local shop rates. As such, job opportunities in specialty welding sectors can shift the overall demand for skilled welders within the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,920 | $19.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,437 | $23.77 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,446 | $24.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,500 | $29.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,064 | $38.01 |
Median Salary Position
9.75% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dover
In Dover, DE, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,144 (2026 est.). At $50,446, the local median is 9.75% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dover: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dover Welder Pay Compares
Dover median: $50,446/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dover Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware Average | $56,872 | -11.30% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -9.75% less |
Welders in Dover, DE earn a median of $50,446 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.75% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 11.30% below the Delaware state average of $56,872.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dover has a cost of living 2.49% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dover, DE has a cost-of-living index of 97.507 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $50,446 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $51,736 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.56% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,400
2025 BLS Actual
$48,510
2026 Current Est.
$50,446
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Dover (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,400 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,680 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,940 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,950 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,040 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,160 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,510 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,446 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,458 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dover metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 20.1% from $40,400 (2019) to $48,510 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,458 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,058 (29.85%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dover 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $40,920 – $49,437 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,437 – $50,446 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,446 – $61,500 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,500 – $79,064 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Dover
The local job market for welders features approximately 90 positions filled, indicating a niche yet stable employment scene in Dover. With a cost-of-living index of 97.507, salaries in Dover stretch further than in higher-cost regions, contributing positively to take-home purchasing power. Employers across various industries impact compensation levels, with structural steel fabrication, oil and gas, and nuclear welding commanding the highest pay in the area. The wide disparity between lower and higher wages here often relates to factors such as certification levels—welders with 6G pipe certification or expertise in niche areas like underwater and aerospace welding can see significant raises. Moreover, those who choose traveling roles often benefit from additional per-diem pay, resulting in an even greater earnings potential. For welders in Dover, pursuing continuous education and certifications can be an effective strategy to maximize income in a market that offers both opportunities and challenges.
More salary data for Dover, DE:
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $48,510 for weldersin the Dover metropolitan area. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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