Welder Salary in Scarborough, ME: $53,116 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Scarborough, ME earns a median $53,116/year (≈ $25.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Scarborough's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 99.6), that paycheck buys what $53,329 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% below the Maine state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, welders in Scarborough, Maine, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $53,116, which falls below the national median of $55,895. The salary range for welders locally extends from $40,554 at the 10th percentile to $69,857 at the 90th percentile, illustrating significant earning potential based on experience, specialization, and employment type. Scarborough's compensation structure is influenced by both regional costs and local demand for skilled labor, especially when considering the contrasting economic dynamics of traveling pipe welders who often benefit from per-diem pay and tax advantages. Given the area's current job market, the potential for increased earnings is notable, especially within demanding sectors such as oil and gas or shipbuilding, where specialized skills are at a premium.
About the Scarborough Market
Salary estimated from Maine average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,554 | $19.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,861 | $23.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,116 | $25.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59,260 | $28.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69,857 | $33.59 |
Median Salary Position
4.97% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Scarborough
In Scarborough, ME, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,303 (2026 est.). At $53,116, the local median is 4.97% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Scarborough: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Scarborough Welder Pay Compares
Scarborough median: $53,116/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Scarborough Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Average | $55,677 | -4.60% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -4.97% less |
Welders in Scarborough, ME earn a median of $53,116 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.97% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 4.60% below the Maine state average of $55,677.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Scarborough 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.
Scarborough, ME has a cost-of-living index of 99.6 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $53,116 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $53,329 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.4% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,378
2025 BLS Actual
$51,078
2026 Current Est.
$53,116
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Scarborough (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,378 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,993 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,673 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,177 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,507 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,415 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,078 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,116 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,235 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Scarborough metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $40,378 (2019) to $51,078 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,235 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,857 (36.79%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Scarborough 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) | $40,554 – $48,861 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,861 – $53,116 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,116 – $59,260 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $59,260 – $69,857 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Scarborough
Scarborough's employment landscape, while featuring just five welders, showcases a competitive advantage when it comes to pay, particularly for those who hold advanced certifications such as the 6G pipe qualification or ASME IX. With a cost-of-living index at 99.6, the purchasing power for welders remains relatively strong compared to other regions, suggesting that take-home salaries effectively support local lifestyles. High pay can typically be found among employers in structural steel fabrication and those engaged in high-stakes environments like aerospace and nuclear power. The disparities in salaries stem from varying certification requirements, with traveling welders often earning more due to favorable conditions that include per-diem arrangements. For those navigating the Scarborough job market, focusing on certification upgrades and seeking opportunities in expanding sectors will be vital strategies to maximize income potential.
More salary data for Scarborough, 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 $51,078 for weldersin the Scarborough 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 Scarborough 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