Welder Salary in Lima, OH: $89,213 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Lima, OH earns a median $89,213/year (≈ $42.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Lima's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.7), that paycheck buys what $99,491 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 72.5% above the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, a welder in Lima, Ohio, is projected to earn a median annual salary of $89,213, significantly higher than the national median of $55,895. The salary range for welders in the area varies widely, with entry-level positions starting around $46,390, while seasoned professionals can command as much as $89,213. This data is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, highlighting Lima's strong market for welding. The local job market tends to favor pipe welders, especially those with advanced certifications like the 6G pipe qualification. In comparison, structural and production welders tend to earn less, but there are still ample opportunities for skilled tradespeople across various industries.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,390 | $22.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,822 | $26.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $89,213 | $42.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89,213 | $42.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,213 | $42.90 |
Median Salary Position
59.61% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lima
In Lima, OH, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,823 (2026 est.). At $89,213, the local median is 59.61% above the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lima: You'd be in the top 10% of earners
How Lima Welder Pay Compares
Lima median: $89,213/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lima Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $51,718 | +72.50% more |
| National Average | $55,895 | +59.61% more |
Welders in Lima, OH earn a median of $89,213 per year (2026 est.), which is 59.61% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 72.50% above the Ohio state average of $51,718.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lima has a cost of living 10.33% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lima, OH has a cost-of-living index of 89.669 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $89,213 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $99,491 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,260
2025 BLS Actual
$85,790
2026 Current Est.
$89,213
2019–2027 Growth
+84.6%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Lima (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,260 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,800 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,220 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,340 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,150 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,100 | Actual |
| 2025 | $85,790 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $89,213 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $92,773 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lima metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 70.7% from $50,260 (2019) to $85,790 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $92,773 by 2027 — a total increase of $42,513 (84.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lima 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) | $46,390 – $55,822 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,822 – $89,213 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $89,213 – $89,213 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $89,213 – $89,213 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Lima
Local employment data reveals that approximately 470 welders are currently working in Lima, contributing to a robust job market supported by the city's favorable cost of living index of 89.669, which is below the national average. Therefore, the higher salaries afforded by local employers translate well into purchasing power for welders. The highest-paying positions typically arise in specialized fields such as oil and gas pipeline welding, petrochemical turnaround projects, and aerospace applications, where certifications like ASME IX and the NQA-1 standard are highly valued. Variability in wages can often be attributed to the nature of work and experience level, with traveling positions offering significant per-diem bonuses that can substantially increase overall earnings. To optimize wage potential in Lima, welders should consider pursuing advanced certifications and gaining experience in high-demand sectors, as this can markedly impact their take-home pay realization in the evolving job market.
More salary data for Lima, 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 $85,790 for weldersin the Lima 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