Welder Salary in Ohio: $53,184 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Ohio's 67 metropolitan areas, the average median welder pay sits at $53,184/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 51-4121. Because Ohio sits at BEA RPP 90.7 (9% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $58,637 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Lima ($85,790), Cincinnati ($51,990), Columbus ($51,260).
In 2026, the average median salary for welders in Ohio is projected to be $53,185, which is approximately 4.8% lower than the national median of $55,895. Welders can expect significant salary variation across the state; for instance, Lima offers the highest salary at $89,213, while Mansfield provides the lowest at $44,840. This disparity is largely driven by local demand for skilled welders, the presence of manufacturing industries, and the cost of living in different regions. Ohio welders should also be aware of state-specific factors, such as licensing requirements and scope of practice laws, which can influence job opportunities and salaries. The state has a diverse job market, with a total employment of 15,017 welders. Key cities like Cincinnati, Columbus, Canton, and Beavercreek follow Lima with salaries ranging from $52,483 to $54,064. The job market is projected to grow at an annual rate of 3.99%, indicating a steady demand for welding professionals in the coming years. As industries continue to expand, especially in manufacturing and construction, welders can find opportunities across various sectors in Ohio.
Ohio Welder Salary Range
Overall salary range in Ohio: $35,753 (lowest entry-level) to $89,213 (highest top earner)
Ohio vs National Average
Ohio welders earn 4.85% less than the national median ($-2,711/year difference).
Ohio Welder Salary Distribution (2026)
Welder salaries in Ohio range from $41,312 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $73,007 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $53,184. The Ohio median is $2,711 below the US national median of $55,895. The average hourly rate is $25.57/hr. Approximately 15,017 welders are employed across 67 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$39,611
2025 BLS Actual
$51,144
2026 Current Est.
$53,184
2019–2027 Growth
+39.6%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Ohio (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,611 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,983 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,211 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,003 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,772 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,346 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,144 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,184 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,306 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ohio metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 29.1% from $39,611 (2019) to $51,144 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,306 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,695 (39.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ohio 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Ohio
Lowest Paying Cities in Ohio
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Mansfield | $44,840 |
| Solon | $47,533 |
| Centerville | $47,541 |
| Avon Lake | $47,646 |
| Wadsworth | $47,680 |
Best Value Cities for Welders in Ohio
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Ohio cities offer the most purchasing power for welders.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lima | $89,213 | 89.669 | $99,491 |
| Canton | $52,525 | 89.406 | $58,749 |
| Beavercreek | $52,483 | 90.7 | $57,864 |
| Lorain | $52,278 | 90.7 | $57,638 |
| Parma | $52,134 | 90.7 | $57,480 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Ohio
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $41,312 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $53,184 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $73,007 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Ohio metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 67 Cities in Ohio
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lima | $89,213 |
| 2 | Cincinnati | $54,064 |
| 3 | Columbus | $53,305 |
| 4 | Canton | $52,525 |
| 5 | Beavercreek | $52,483 |
| 6 | Dayton | $52,401 |
| 7 | Akron | $52,349 |
| 8 | Lorain | $52,278 |
| 9 | Parma | $52,134 |
| 10 | Cuyahoga Falls | $51,921 |
| 11 | Massillon | $51,813 |
| 12 | Hamilton | $51,741 |
| 13 | Kettering | $51,694 |
| 14 | Lakewood | $51,458 |
| 15 | Bowling Green | $51,390 |
| 16 | Lancaster | $51,374 |
| 17 | Zanesville | $51,370 |
| 18 | Westlake | $51,282 |
| 19 | Middletown | $51,262 |
| 20 | Grove City | $51,113 |
| 21 | Toledo | $51,090 |
| 22 | Delaware | $51,073 |
| 23 | Gahanna | $51,065 |
| 24 | Westerville | $51,033 |
| 25 | Cleveland | $50,997 |
| 26 | Huber Heights | $50,912 |
| 27 | North Ridgeville | $50,872 |
| 28 | North Royalton | $50,800 |
| 29 | North Olmsted | $50,619 |
| 30 | Reynoldsburg | $50,531 |
| 31 | Strongsville | $50,362 |
| 32 | Brunswick | $50,049 |
| 33 | Wooster | $50,049 |
| 34 | Elyria | $49,971 |
| 35 | Shaker Heights | $49,869 |
| 36 | Medina | $49,837 |
| 37 | Sandusky | $49,811 |
| 38 | Warren | $49,713 |
| 39 | Springfield | $49,686 |
| 40 | Dublin | $49,676 |
| 41 | Fairfield | $49,672 |
| 42 | Mentor | $49,620 |
| 43 | Youngstown | $49,593 |
| 44 | Mason | $49,404 |
| 45 | Avon | $49,341 |
| 46 | Marion | $49,267 |
| 47 | Stow | $49,263 |
| 48 | Newark | $49,235 |
| 49 | Findlay | $49,182 |
| 50 | Green | $49,106 |
| 51 | Barberton | $49,106 |
| 52 | Austintown | $49,086 |
| 53 | Cleveland Heights | $49,078 |
| 54 | Upper Arlington | $49,014 |
| 55 | Xenia | $49,014 |
| 56 | Hilliard | $48,953 |
| 57 | Oxford | $48,801 |
| 58 | Chillicothe | $48,696 |
| 59 | Perrysburg | $48,518 |
| 60 | Trotwood | $48,502 |
| 61 | Athens | $47,988 |
| 62 | Tiffin | $47,720 |
| 63 | Wadsworth | $47,680 |
| 64 | Avon Lake | $47,646 |
| 65 | Centerville | $47,541 |
| 66 | Solon | $47,533 |
| 67 | Mansfield | $44,840 |
More Ohio Salary Data
Compare Cities in Ohio
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do welders make in Ohio in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for welders in Ohio?
How does Ohio welder pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level welder salary in Ohio?
How many welders are employed in Ohio?
Which Ohio city offers the best value for welders?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 welder compensation across Ohio. State averages are employment-weighted across 67 metro areas — larger metro areas with more welderscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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