Welder Salary in Brunswick, ME: $51,517 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Brunswick, ME earns a median $51,517/year (≈ $24.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Brunswick's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 99.6), that paycheck buys what $51,724 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.5% below the Maine state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupying a critical role in the fabricating industry, welders in Brunswick, ME, can expect a median annual salary around $51,517 in 2026. This local compensation reflects a broad salary range, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $40,981 and more experienced welders earning up to $71,249. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026 and adjusted for regional cost factors. Interestingly, traveling pipe welders often see significantly higher earnings due to per-diem payment structures and tax advantages compared to local shop positions. Given Brunswick's specific market conditions, potential welders may find the local pay slightly lower than the national median of $55,895, making it essential to understand the nuances of this job market to optimize potential earnings.
About the Brunswick Market
Salary estimated from Maine average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,981 | $19.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,604 | $22.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,517 | $24.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59,754 | $28.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $71,249 | $34.25 |
Median Salary Position
7.83% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brunswick
In Brunswick, ME, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,268 (2026 est.). At $51,517, the local median is 7.83% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brunswick: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brunswick Welder Pay Compares
Brunswick median: $51,517/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brunswick Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Average | $55,694 | -7.50% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -7.83% less |
Welders in Brunswick, ME earn a median of $51,517 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.83% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 7.50% below the Maine state average of $55,694.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brunswick 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.
Brunswick, ME has a cost-of-living index of 99.6 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $51,517 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $51,724 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.4% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,162
2025 BLS Actual
$49,540
2026 Current Est.
$51,517
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Brunswick (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,162 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,729 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,328 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,816 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,107 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,927 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,540 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,517 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,572 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brunswick metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $39,162 (2019) to $49,540 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,572 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,410 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brunswick 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) | $40,981 – $46,604 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,604 – $51,517 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,517 – $59,754 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $59,754 – $71,249 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Brunswick
With only four welders currently employed in Brunswick, the robust local job market tends to limit competition for available positions, but salaries must also be considered concerning the area's cost of living index of 99.6. This figure indicates a slightly below-average cost of living, which can enhance purchasing power for welders earning local salaries. Among the top-paying employers in the region are structural steel fabrication shops and those involved in shipbuilding or municipal projects. However, welders specializing in high-demand areas such as pipeline welding or nuclear power maintenance typically command the highest wages. Various certifications, such as 6G pipe and ASME Section IX, heavily influence earning potential, with the most successful professionals often engaging in traveling work or considering ownership of welding rigs, despite initial high investment costs. For welders in Brunswick, focusing on specialty certifications and seeking traveling positions may significantly boost overall income.
More salary data for Brunswick, ME:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do welders make in Brunswick, ME in 2026?
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Can welders make $100K in Brunswick?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted welder salary in Brunswick?
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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 $49,540 for weldersin the Brunswick 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 Brunswick 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