Welder Salary in Elyria, OH: $49,971 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Elyria, OH earns a median $49,971/year (≈ $24.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Elyria's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $55,095 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Elyria, Ohio, the welder salary has a median projection of $49,971 for 2026, representing a notable 10.60% decrease compared to the national average of $55,895. The local salary range spans from $36,741 at the low end (10th percentile) to $71,013 for top earners (90th percentile). These figures are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, adjusted for regional cost considerations. In a market where hiring is stable, welders must consider their trades carefully, especially in terms of equipment investment. For instance, rig welders often take on significant costs related to running their own welding truck, which typically requires an investment of $80,000 to $150,000. Such ownership can influence hourly pay rates, making this pathway a crucial decision for those looking to maximize their incomes in Elyria.
About the Elyria Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,741 | $17.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,321 | $20.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,971 | $24.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58,161 | $27.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $71,013 | $34.14 |
Median Salary Position
10.6% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Elyria
In Elyria, OH, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,272 (2026 est.). At $49,971, the local median is 10.6% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Elyria: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Elyria Welder Pay Compares
Elyria median: $49,971/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Elyria Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $51,730 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -10.60% less |
Welders in Elyria, OH earn a median of $49,971 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.60% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 3.40% below the Ohio state average of $51,730.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Elyria 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.
Elyria, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $49,971 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $55,095 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,987
2025 BLS Actual
$48,054
2026 Current Est.
$49,971
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Elyria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,987 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,507 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,028 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,502 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,754 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,323 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,054 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,971 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,965 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Elyria metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $37,987 (2019) to $48,054 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,965 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,978 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elyria 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) | $36,741 – $43,321 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,321 – $49,971 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,971 – $58,161 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $58,161 – $71,013 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Elyria
Elyria's job market currently employs only 14 welders, providing a limited pool of competition. While costs are lower here with a cost of living index of 90.7, the reality is that this translates to a different purchasing power compared to larger markets. Top wages in the area often come from specialized roles in structural steel fabrication or high-demand sectors such as oil and gas pipeline welding. The pay range highlights significant disparities driven by certifications and specialties. For example, welders with 6G pipe certifications or those focusing on nuclear power maintenance can see much higher earnings, particularly when per-diem rates are added for traveling work. To enhance their salaries, welders in Elyria should aim to gain additional certifications and explore opportunities in industries with rapid growth potential, carefully weighing the long-term benefits of investing in specialized training against the current market demands.
More salary data for Elyria, 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 $48,054 for weldersin the Elyria 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 Elyria 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