Welder Salary in Portland, ME: $69,070 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Portland, ME earns a median $69,070/year (≈ $33.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Portland's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 101.9), that paycheck buys what $67,810 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 24.1% above the Maine state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, welders in Portland, Maine, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $69,070, considerably higher than the national median of $55,895. The salary landscape in Portland reflects a range from $53,950 at the lowest 10th percentile to as much as $81,975 for those at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys and illustrate the competitive nature of the local market. With growth projected at an annual rate of 3.99%, it's clear that the demand for skilled welders in Portland is robust. This heightened demand is evident, especially as local facilities look to retain talent against the backdrop of traveling pipe welder pay, which can leverage per-diem arrangements and tax advantages.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,950 | $25.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,633 | $30.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,070 | $33.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,261 | $38.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,975 | $39.41 |
Median Salary Position
23.57% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portland
In Portland, ME, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,025 (2026 est.). At $69,070, the local median is 23.57% above the national median of $55,895.
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At 40 hours/week in Portland: You'd be above the median
How Portland Welder Pay Compares
Portland median: $69,070/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Average | $55,657 | +24.10% more |
| National Average | $55,895 | +23.57% more |
Welders in Portland, ME earn a median of $69,070 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.57% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 24.10% above the Maine state average of $55,657.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portland has a cost of living 1.86% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portland, ME has a cost-of-living index of 101.858 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $69,070 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $67,810 — a 1.82% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,100
2025 BLS Actual
$66,420
2026 Current Est.
$69,070
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,100 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,860 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,010 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,350 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,180 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,330 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,420 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,070 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,826 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portland metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 38.1% from $48,100 (2019) to $66,420 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,826 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,726 (49.33%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portland 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) | $53,950 – $62,633 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,633 – $69,070 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,070 – $79,261 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,261 – $81,975 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Portland
The local job market for welders in Portland is bustling, with approximately 1,060 welders currently employed in the area. Despite a cost of living index slightly above the national average at 101.858, the prevailing welder pay in Portland, ME, offers a solid take-home income. Employers including structural steel fabrication shops and oil and gas pipeline companies typically provide the most competitive compensation, particularly for those with specialized skills like 6G and ASME IX certifications. Factors influencing wage variations include certifications, specialization (e.g., underwater versus pipeline welding), and employment types, with traveling welders often benefiting from significant per-diem allowances. For welders looking to maximize their earnings, pursuing advanced certifications and being open to traveling assignments can yield higher pay, especially in high-demand sectors like aerospace and nuclear power.
More salary data for Portland, ME:
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 $66,420 for weldersin the Portland 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