Welder Salary in Lewiston, ME: $57,735 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Lewiston, ME earns a median $57,735/year (≈ $27.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Lewiston's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 94.7), that paycheck buys what $60,943 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% above the Maine state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lewiston, ME, the earning potential for welders is quite competitive, with a median annual salary projected at $57,735 for 2026. This figure, when compared to the national average of $55,895, indicates a favorable position within the local job market, highlighting a 3.29% advantage. Welders can expect a salary range between $48,283 at the lower end and $74,696 at the higher end, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to the coming year. The economic landscape is shaped by a mix of local opportunities and the lucrative options found in traveling welding positions, often aimed at oil and gas pipeline projects, which can offer additional per-diem compensation and a tax-advantaged structure. Consequently, this dynamic creates a vibrant job market, underscoring the increasing demand for skilled welding professionals in the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,283 | $23.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,019 | $24.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,735 | $27.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,207 | $29.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74,696 | $35.91 |
Median Salary Position
3.29% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lewiston
In Lewiston, ME, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,413 (2026 est.). At $57,735, the local median is 3.29% above the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lewiston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lewiston Welder Pay Compares
Lewiston median: $57,735/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lewiston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Average | $55,675 | +3.70% more |
| National Average | $55,895 | +3.29% more |
Welders in Lewiston, ME earn a median of $57,735 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.29% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 3.70% above the Maine state average of $55,675.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lewiston has a cost of living 5.26% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lewiston, ME has a cost-of-living index of 94.736 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $57,735 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,943 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.56% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,350
2025 BLS Actual
$55,520
2026 Current Est.
$57,735
2019–2027 Growth
+38.5%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Lewiston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,350 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,680 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,050 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,040 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,420 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,520 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,735 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,039 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lewiston metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 28.1% from $43,350 (2019) to $55,520 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,039 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,689 (38.50%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lewiston 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) | $48,283 – $50,019 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,019 – $57,735 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,735 – $62,207 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,207 – $74,696 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Lewiston
With 80 welders employed in Lewiston, the local job market shows strength, especially when you consider the cost of living index at 94.736, which means lower living expenses compared to national averages. This enhances the take-home purchasing power for welders earning respectable salaries in this area. In terms of competitive pay, areas such as structural steel fabrication and oil/gas pipeline welding tend to offer higher compensation, especially for those holding specialized certifications like the 6G pipe and ASME IX. The variance in salaries arises primarily from factors such as certification levels, specialization, and the nature of the work—traveling welders can experience substantial pay increases that far exceed local shop wages. For welders in Lewiston looking to maximize their salary, pursuing advanced certifications or seeking opportunities in more lucrative sectors like nuclear power or aerospace can be beneficial strategies in securing higher pay and sustained job demand amid the anticipated industry shortage.
More salary data for Lewiston, 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 $55,520 for weldersin the Lewiston 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