Welder Salary in Portage, IN: $49,811 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Portage, IN earns a median $49,811/year (≈ $23.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Portage's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $54,558 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Indiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, welders in Portage, Indiana can expect a median annual salary of $49,811, reflecting the local demand for skilled workers in this trade. The salary range for welders stretches from $37,887 at the 10th percentile to $70,454 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant earning potential depending on skill level, specialization, and market conditions. While wages in Portage fall below the national median of $55,895, the city’s job market tends to favor pipe welders, who often command higher pay due to their specialized skills, particularly for certified processes such as 6G pipe welding. Structural and production welding jobs also exist but typically offer lower compensation compared to pipe welding roles.
About the Portage Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,887 | $18.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,942 | $21.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,811 | $23.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58,342 | $28.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $70,454 | $33.87 |
Median Salary Position
10.88% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portage
In Portage, IN, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,567 (2026 est.). At $49,811, the local median is 10.88% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Portage: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Portage Welder Pay Compares
Portage median: $49,811/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portage Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $51,564 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -10.88% less |
Welders in Portage, IN earn a median of $49,811 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.88% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 3.40% below the Indiana state average of $51,564.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portage has a cost of living 8.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portage, IN has a cost-of-living index of 91.3 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $49,811 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $54,558 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.53% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,866
2025 BLS Actual
$47,900
2026 Current Est.
$49,811
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Portage (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,866 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,380 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,894 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,366 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,614 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,858 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,900 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,811 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,799 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portage metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $37,866 (2019) to $47,900 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,799 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,933 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portage 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) | $37,887 – $43,942 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,942 – $49,811 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,811 – $58,342 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $58,342 – $70,454 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Portage
Portage's welding market features around ten employed welders, suggesting a tight-knit community where competition for skilled labor exists. The cost-of-living index in the area is relatively low at 91.3, which enhances the purchasing power of wages earned here. Employers who tend to offer the highest pay include those involved in oil and gas pipeline installation, aerospace, and nuclear power plant maintenance, where specialized skills can lead to lucrative opportunities. The spectrum of welder pay varies greatly, driven by factors like certification levels, expertise in niche fields, and the nature of work (local versus traveling). Welders in Portage looking to maximize their income should consider further certification and potentially seek work that involves travel, allowing them to access per-diem rates that can substantially boost overall earnings.
More salary data for Portage, IN:
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 $47,900 for weldersin the Portage 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
Salary data for Portage 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