Welder Salary in Auburn, ME: $57,719 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Auburn, ME earns a median $57,719/year (≈ $27.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Auburn's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 99.6), that paycheck buys what $57,951 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% above the Maine state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, welders in Auburn, Maine, are expected to earn a median annual salary of $57,719, which represents a competitive advantage compared to the national median of $55,895, reflecting a 3.26% increase. Local estimates suggest a salary range that extends from $42,505 at the 10th percentile to $76,058 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the potential for specialization to significantly impact earnings. Factors such as traveling pipe welder employment often benefit from per-diem arrangements, amplifying their compensation and attracting workers to projects outside the local area. The economic landscape for welders in Auburn is thus shaped by opportunities that extend beyond the city's borders, emphasizing the importance of mobility in maximizing income.
About the Auburn Market
Salary estimated from Maine average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,505 | $20.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,306 | $25.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,719 | $27.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,615 | $31.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,058 | $36.56 |
Median Salary Position
3.26% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Auburn
In Auburn, ME, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,553 (2026 est.). At $57,719, the local median is 3.26% above the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Auburn: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Auburn Welder Pay Compares
Auburn median: $57,719/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Auburn Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Average | $55,659 | +3.70% more |
| National Average | $55,895 | +3.26% more |
Welders in Auburn, ME earn a median of $57,719 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.26% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 3.70% above the Maine state average of $55,659.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Auburn has a cost of living 0.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Auburn, ME has a cost-of-living index of 99.6 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $57,719 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $57,951 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.4% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,877
2025 BLS Actual
$55,504
2026 Current Est.
$57,719
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Auburn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,877 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,632 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,544 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,091 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,537 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,671 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,504 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,719 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,022 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Auburn metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $43,877 (2019) to $55,504 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,022 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,145 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Auburn 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) | $42,505 – $53,306 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,306 – $57,719 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,719 – $64,615 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,615 – $76,058 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Auburn
Despite having only six welders currently employed in Auburn, ME, the local job market presents a nuanced picture for prospective welders. With a cost-of-living index sitting at 99.6, residents enjoy purchasing power that is slightly below the national average, affecting take-home earnings. Employers ranging from structural steel fabrication shops to specialized fields like oil and gas pipeline welding offer varied pay structures, with those skilled in advanced techniques, such as 6G pipe welding or niche certifications in nuclear and aerospace welding, likely to command higher wages. The disparity in welder pay in Auburn reflects a mix of skill level, specialty, and the nature of the work—whether it's local jobs versus traveling positions. For welders aiming to optimize their earnings, obtaining specialized certifications and considering traveling work could prove to be effective strategies in a market where demand for skilled trades is anticipated to grow.
More salary data for Auburn, ME:
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
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 $55,504 for weldersin the Auburn 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 Auburn 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