Welder Salary in Youngstown, OH: $49,593 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Youngstown, OH earns a median $49,593/year (≈ $23.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Youngstown's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 87.4), that paycheck buys what $56,746 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% below the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Youngstown, Ohio, the welder salary in 2026 is projected to reach a median of $49,593, which reflects a notable shortfall compared to the national median of $55,895. The salary range in this local market varies widely, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $40,130 (P10) and experienced welders earning up to $63,320 (P90). This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected for 2026, suggests that while opportunities exist, particularly for pipe welders, structural welders dominate the overall landscape, influenced by the local demand from industries such as manufacturing and construction. Understanding this pay gradient is critical for anyone looking to enter the field in Youngstown.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,130 | $19.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,870 | $22.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,593 | $23.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57,860 | $27.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63,320 | $30.44 |
Median Salary Position
11.27% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Youngstown
In Youngstown, OH, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,190 (2026 est.). At $49,593, the local median is 11.27% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Youngstown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Youngstown Welder Pay Compares
Youngstown median: $49,593/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Youngstown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $51,713 | -4.10% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -11.27% less |
Welders in Youngstown, OH earn a median of $49,593 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.27% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 4.10% below the Ohio state average of $51,713.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Youngstown has a cost of living 12.61% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Youngstown, OH has a cost-of-living index of 87.394 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $49,593 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $56,746 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.42% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,430
2025 BLS Actual
$47,690
2026 Current Est.
$49,593
2019–2027 Growth
+37.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Youngstown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,430 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,640 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,970 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,510 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,700 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,730 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,690 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,593 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,572 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Youngstown metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 27.4% from $37,430 (2019) to $47,690 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,572 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,142 (37.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Youngstown 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) | $40,130 – $45,870 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,870 – $49,593 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,593 – $57,860 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $57,860 – $63,320 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Youngstown
With 680 welders currently employed in the region, Youngstown's local job market demonstrates a steady demand reflective of a growth rate of 3.99% annually. The cost of living index stands at 87.394, indicating that take-home pay stretches further than in many urban areas, allowing for a decent lifestyle even with salaries below the national average. Employers that tend to offer higher pay include those involved in oil and gas pipeline welding and specialty roles in aerospace and nuclear sectors, where certifications such as 6G pipe and ASME IX greatly influence earning potential. The range of pay often reflects the skill level and specialization, with local welders being encouraged to pursue advanced certifications or consider traveling opportunities, which can provide significant additional income through per-diem compensation. Therefore, welders in Youngstown should consider investing in certifications and exploring niche markets to maximize their earning potential.
More salary data for Youngstown, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $47,690 for weldersin the Youngstown 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