Welder Salary in Dayton, OH: $52,401 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Dayton, OH earns a median $52,401/year (≈ $25.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Dayton's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $56,531 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% above the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, welders in Dayton, Ohio, can expect a median annual salary of $52,401, reflecting a competitive local market. Unlike traveling pipe welders who may earn a higher per-diem pay structure, local welders face a salary range from $38,955 to $72,450. This data is derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys. While the local welder pay in Dayton OH falls approximately 6.25% below the national median of $55,895, the city's job market has been resilient, with numerous opportunities available for skilled welders across various sectors.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,955 | $18.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,055 | $22.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,401 | $25.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,947 | $29.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72,450 | $34.84 |
Median Salary Position
6.25% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dayton
In Dayton, OH, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,495 (2026 est.). At $52,401, the local median is 6.25% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dayton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dayton Welder Pay Compares
Dayton median: $52,401/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dayton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $51,728 | +1.30% more |
| National Average | $55,895 | -6.25% less |
Welders in Dayton, OH earn a median of $52,401 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.25% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 1.30% above the Ohio state average of $51,728.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dayton has a cost of living 7.31% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dayton, OH has a cost-of-living index of 92.694 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $52,401 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $56,531 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.88% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,480
2025 BLS Actual
$50,390
2026 Current Est.
$52,401
2019–2027 Growth
+28.3%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Dayton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,480 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,450 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,940 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,000 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,350 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,260 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,390 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,401 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,491 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dayton metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 18.6% from $42,480 (2019) to $50,390 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,491 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,011 (28.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dayton 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) | $38,955 – $47,055 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,055 – $52,401 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,401 – $61,947 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,947 – $72,450 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Dayton
With 820 welders currently employed in the area, the demand for welding skills remains strong. The cost of living index in Dayton stands at 92.694, indicating a favorable environment for maintaining purchasing power. Among the highest-paying positions are those in structural steel fabrication shops and oil and gas pipeline welding, where certifications such as the 6G pipe and ASME IX can significantly increase earnings potential. Factors contributing to wage variation include specialty skills, traveling versus local work incentives, and rig welder ownership, which requires an investment of $80k-$150k for a welding truck. For those looking to maximize their income, pursuing advanced certifications and engaging in traveling roles can provide a substantial pay boost in the Dayton market.
More salary data for Dayton, OH:
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 $50,390 for weldersin the Dayton 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