Welder Salary in Delaware, OH: $51,073 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Delaware, OH earns a median $51,073/year (≈ $24.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Delaware's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $56,310 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Welding professionals in Delaware, Ohio, can expect a median annual salary of $51,073 in 2026, reflecting local market conditions and pricing adjustments. The salary range spans from $38,045 at the 10th percentile to $69,488 for those at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse spectrum of earning potential based on experience and specialty. This compensation structure is particularly relevant for welders engaged in traveling positions, which often offer lucrative per-diem options, boosting their overall earnings when compared to local shop pay. The figures presented here are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, illustrating the potential for welders to thrive within the Delaware job market.
About the Delaware Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,045 | $18.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,439 | $22.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,073 | $24.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58,143 | $27.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69,488 | $33.41 |
Median Salary Position
8.63% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Delaware
In Delaware, OH, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,443 (2026 est.). At $51,073, the local median is 8.63% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Delaware: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Delaware Welder Pay Compares
Delaware median: $51,073/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Delaware Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $51,745 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -8.63% less |
Welders in Delaware, OH earn a median of $51,073 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.63% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 1.30% below the Ohio state average of $51,745.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Delaware has a cost of living 9.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Delaware, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $51,073 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $56,310 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,824
2025 BLS Actual
$49,113
2026 Current Est.
$51,073
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Delaware (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,824 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,378 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,954 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,439 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,718 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,366 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,113 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,073 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,110 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Delaware metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $38,824 (2019) to $49,113 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,110 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,286 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Delaware 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) | $38,045 – $46,439 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,439 – $51,073 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,073 – $58,143 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $58,143 – $69,488 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Delaware
With only seven welders currently employed in Delaware, job opportunities may be limited yet represent a niche market where skilled welders—especially those with certifications such as 6G and ASME IX—can find better compensation. The cost of living index for this area stands at 90.7, offering a relatively affordable backdrop that improves purchasing power for local workers. Employers in high-paying sectors include those in oil and gas pipeline welding, where the demand for skilled labor in cross-country projects tends to drive wages higher. Factors influencing the disparity in salaries in Delaware include certification level, specialty work like nuclear welding or aerospace applications, and the differentiation between traveling and local jobs. Welders looking to maximize their pay should consider obtaining higher-level certifications and seeking opportunities in industries that traditionally offer superior compensation packages, ensuring they remain competitive in a market that continues to face a shortage of qualified welders.
More salary data for Delaware, 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 $49,113 for weldersin the Delaware 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 Delaware 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