Welder Salary in Maine: $66,258 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Maine's 10 metropolitan areas, the average median welder pay sits at $66,258/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 51-4121. Because Maine sits at BEA RPP 99.6 (0% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $66,524 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Portland ($66,420), South Portland ($66,136), Lewiston ($55,520).
In 2026, the average median salary for welders in Maine is projected to be $66,258, exceeding the national median of $55,895 by 18.5%. This reflects a strong job market, with a growth rate of 3.99% annually, indicating steady demand for welding professionals in the state. Portland leads as the highest paying city for welders, offering an average salary of $69,070, while Brunswick, the lowest paying city, offers $51,517. The significant salary gap of $17,553 between these cities can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for skilled labor, and the concentration of manufacturing and construction industries in urban areas. Welders in Maine need to be aware of state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws, which can influence job opportunities and earnings. Additionally, as industries grow, factors such as infrastructure projects and manufacturing expansions drive demand for qualified welders. The total employed welders in Maine stands at 1,315, with other notable cities like South Portland at $68,775 and Lewiston at $57,735. Overall, Maine's welding sector shows promising trends for both new entrants and experienced professionals seeking advancement.
Maine Welder Salary Range
Overall salary range in Maine: $39,455 (lowest entry-level) to $97,438 (highest top earner)
Maine vs National Average
Maine welders earn 18.54% more than the national median (+$10,363/year difference).
Maine Welder Salary Distribution (2026)
Welder salaries in Maine range from $52,341 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $80,440 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $66,258. The Maine median is $10,363 above the US national median of $55,895. The average hourly rate is $31.85/hr. Approximately 1,315 welders are employed across 10 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$48,182
2025 BLS Actual
$63,716
2026 Current Est.
$66,258
2019–2027 Growth
+43.0%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Maine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,182 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,696 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,750 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,639 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,715 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,138 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,716 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,258 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,902 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Maine metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 32.2% from $48,182 (2019) to $63,716 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,902 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,720 (43.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Maine 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Maine
Lowest Paying Cities in Maine
Best Value Cities for Welders in Maine
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Maine cities offer the most purchasing power for welders.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Portland | $68,775 | 99.6 | $69,051 |
| Portland | $69,070 | 101.858 | $67,810 |
| Lewiston | $57,735 | 94.736 | $60,943 |
| Auburn | $57,719 | 99.6 | $57,951 |
| Bangor | $52,609 | 96.508 | $54,513 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Maine
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $52,341 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $66,258 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $80,440 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Maine metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 10 Cities in Maine
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portland | $69,070 |
| 2 | South Portland | $68,775 |
| 3 | Lewiston | $57,735 |
| 4 | Auburn | $57,719 |
| 5 | Scarborough | $53,116 |
| 6 | Biddeford | $52,672 |
| 7 | Bangor | $52,609 |
| 8 | Augusta | $52,496 |
| 9 | Sanford | $52,006 |
| 10 | Brunswick | $51,517 |
More Maine Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced welders.
Explore More Welder Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do welders make in Maine in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for welders in Maine?
How does Maine welder pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level welder salary in Maine?
How many welders are employed in Maine?
Which Maine city offers the best value for welders?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 welder compensation across Maine. State averages are employment-weighted across 10 metro areas — larger metro areas with more welderscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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