Welder Salary in Zanesville, OH: $51,370 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Zanesville, OH earns a median $51,370/year (≈ $24.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Zanesville's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $56,637 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Welders in Zanesville, OH, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $51,370 in 2026. The salary spectrum varies significantly, with earnings ranging from $38,767 at the lower end (P10) to as high as $70,610 for the top earners (P90). These estimates are derived from BLS state-level data and take into account regional price adjustments within the area. Traveling pipe welders often leverage per-diem payments and favorable tax structures to boost their incomes, frequently exceeding local shop pay. This creates a competitive environment where local welders may find themselves earning less than their traveling counterparts in a city that, while experiencing an economic base, reflects a quieter job market with only a handful of welders employed locally.
About the Zanesville Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,767 | $18.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,091 | $21.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,370 | $24.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58,764 | $28.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $70,610 | $33.94 |
Median Salary Position
8.1% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Zanesville
In Zanesville, OH, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,843 (2026 est.). At $51,370, the local median is 8.1% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Zanesville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Zanesville Welder Pay Compares
Zanesville median: $51,370/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Zanesville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $51,732 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -8.10% less |
Welders in Zanesville, OH earn a median of $51,370 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.10% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 0.70% below the Ohio state average of $51,732.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Zanesville 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.
Zanesville, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $51,370 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $56,637 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,050
2025 BLS Actual
$49,399
2026 Current Est.
$51,370
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Zanesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,050 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,613 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,205 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,692 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,978 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,647 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,399 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,370 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,420 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Zanesville metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $39,050 (2019) to $49,399 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,420 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,370 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Zanesville 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) | $38,767 – $45,091 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,091 – $51,370 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,370 – $58,764 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $58,764 – $70,610 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Zanesville
The local job market for welders in Zanesville features five individuals currently in this occupation, highlighting a niche workforce with a relatively stable demand. With a cost-of-living index of 90.7, welders may find that their take-home pay allows for a comfortable lifestyle in the area, though it's lower than the national average. For those seeking higher welder pay in Zanesville, focusing on specialized roles in structural steel fabrication, pipeline welding, or refinery turnarounds can yield better financial rewards. The disparity in wages often stems from various factors, including certification level, specialization, and work type—whether local or traveling. Aspiring welders should consider pursuing advanced certifications like the 6G pipe or NQA-1 to elevate their pay potential, especially in industries experiencing growth amid a shortage of skilled welders projected in the coming years.
More salary data for Zanesville, 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 $49,399 for weldersin the Zanesville 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 Zanesville 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