Welder Salary in South Portland, ME: $68,775 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in South Portland, ME earns a median $68,775/year (≈ $33.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in South Portland's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 99.6), that paycheck buys what $69,051 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 23.5% above the Maine state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, welders in South Portland, Maine, can expect a median annual salary of $68,775, which significantly outpaces the national median of $55,895 by approximately 23.04%. The salary range for welders in this area spans from $54,080 at the 10th percentile up to $97,438 at the 90th percentile, showcasing a healthy pay gradient within the market. Local estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data, reveal that the demand for welder skills in South Portland is buoyed by a mix of industries including heavy fabrication, shipbuilding, and specialized welding roles. Given the area's economic context, it's evident that career paths, particularly in pipeline and structural welding, tend to dominate the employment landscape, resulting in competitive compensation for skilled artisans.
About the South Portland Market
Salary estimated from Maine average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,080 | $26.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,664 | $29.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,775 | $33.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,441 | $38.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,438 | $46.85 |
Median Salary Position
23.04% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in South Portland
In South Portland, ME, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,358 (2026 est.). At $68,775, the local median is 23.04% above the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in South Portland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How South Portland Welder Pay Compares
South Portland median: $68,775/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | South Portland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Average | $55,688 | +23.50% more |
| National Average | $55,895 | +23.04% more |
Welders in South Portland, ME earn a median of $68,775 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.04% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 23.50% above the Maine state average of $55,688.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
South Portland 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.
South Portland, ME has a cost-of-living index of 99.6 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $68,775 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,051 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.4% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,281
2025 BLS Actual
$66,136
2026 Current Est.
$68,775
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in South Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,281 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,373 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,843 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,495 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,218 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,023 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,136 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,775 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,519 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Portland metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $52,281 (2019) to $66,136 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,519 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,238 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South 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) | $54,080 – $60,664 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,664 – $68,775 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,775 – $80,441 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,441 – $97,438 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in South Portland
Despite having only four welders currently employed in South Portland, the market remains resilient, aided by a cost of living index of 99.6, slightly below the national average. This environment ensures that welding salaries retain significant purchasing power for local residents. Some of the highest-paying roles are found within oil and gas pipeline projects, shipyards, and aerospace sectors. Factors such as certification levels—particularly 6G pipe and ASME IX—along with specialty skills, greatly influence disparities in pay; for example, underwater welders command top-tier salaries, sometimes reaching into the six-figure range. To maximize earning potential in South Portland, welders should consider enhancing certifications, pursuing traveling assignments for additional per-diem benefits, and engaging with sectors poised for growth, such as nuclear maintenance and high-demand specialty welding positions.
More salary data for South Portland, 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 $66,136 for weldersin the South 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
Salary data for South Portland 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