Welder Salary in Oklahoma: $53,837 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Oklahoma's 27 metropolitan areas, the average median welder pay sits at $53,837/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 51-4121. Because Oklahoma sits at BEA RPP 88.9 (11% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $60,559 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Tulsa ($53,550), Lawton ($49,720), Enid ($49,090).
Oklahoma's welder salaries in 2026 project an average median of $53,837, which is about 3.7% lower than the national median of $55,895. Tulsa stands out as the highest-paying city in the state, with welders earning an average of $55,687, while Sand Springs has the lowest average salary at $45,672, creating a salary gap of $10,015. This difference can be attributed to variations in local demand for skilled welders, the concentration of industries requiring welding services, and the cost of living in each area. In Oklahoma, welders are not required to obtain a state license, but certain employers may have additional certification requirements. The scope of practice is broad, encompassing sectors like construction, manufacturing, and repair services. Factors such as the ongoing demand for infrastructure improvements and manufacturing expansion drive job opportunities for welders in the state. With a projected growth rate of 3.99% annually, the job market for welders in Oklahoma is trending positively, indicating strong future prospects. The total employment for welders is estimated at 7,088 in the state, with key cities like Lawton, Enid, Broken Arrow, and Oklahoma City offering competitive salaries ranging from $50,706 to $51,704. Understanding these dynamics can help aspiring welders make informed career decisions in Oklahoma.
Oklahoma Welder Salary Range
Overall salary range in Oklahoma: $33,792 (lowest entry-level) to $83,743 (highest top earner)
Oklahoma vs National Average
Oklahoma welders earn 3.68% less than the national median ($-2,058/year difference).
Oklahoma Welder Salary Distribution (2026)
Welder salaries in Oklahoma range from $40,535 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $74,953 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $53,837. The Oklahoma median is $2,058 below the US national median of $55,895. The average hourly rate is $25.88/hr. Approximately 7,088 welders are employed across 27 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$41,416
2025 BLS Actual
$51,771
2026 Current Est.
$53,837
2019–2027 Growth
+35.2%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Oklahoma (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,416 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,940 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,038 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,919 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,403 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,995 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,771 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,837 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,985 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oklahoma metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 25.0% from $41,416 (2019) to $51,771 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,985 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,569 (35.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oklahoma 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Oklahoma
Lowest Paying Cities in Oklahoma
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Sand Springs | $45,672 |
| Ponca City | $46,165 |
| Durant | $46,520 |
| Del City | $46,723 |
| Sapulpa | $46,864 |
Best Value Cities for Welders in Oklahoma
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Oklahoma cities offer the most purchasing power for welders.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tulsa | $55,687 | 89.214 | $62,420 |
| Enid | $51,049 | 84.269 | $60,579 |
| Lawton | $51,704 | 85.941 | $60,162 |
| Broken Arrow | $50,803 | 88.9 | $57,146 |
| Norman | $50,362 | 88.9 | $56,650 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Oklahoma
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $40,535 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $53,837 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $74,953 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Oklahoma metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 27 Cities in Oklahoma
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tulsa | $55,687 |
| 2 | Lawton | $51,704 |
| 3 | Enid | $51,049 |
| 4 | Broken Arrow | $50,803 |
| 5 | Oklahoma City | $50,706 |
| 6 | Norman | $50,362 |
| 7 | Moore | $49,687 |
| 8 | Midwest City | $49,244 |
| 9 | Yukon | $49,077 |
| 10 | Bartlesville | $48,749 |
| 11 | Owasso | $48,441 |
| 12 | Muskogee | $48,391 |
| 13 | Stillwater | $48,338 |
| 14 | Shawnee | $48,291 |
| 15 | Edmond | $47,964 |
| 16 | Tahlequah | $47,701 |
| 17 | Bixby | $47,627 |
| 18 | Jenks | $47,448 |
| 19 | Claremore | $47,347 |
| 20 | Altus | $47,111 |
| 21 | Ardmore | $47,025 |
| 22 | Bethany | $47,025 |
| 23 | Sapulpa | $46,864 |
| 24 | Del City | $46,723 |
| 25 | Durant | $46,520 |
| 26 | Ponca City | $46,165 |
| 27 | Sand Springs | $45,672 |
More Oklahoma Salary Data
Compare Cities in Oklahoma
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do welders make in Oklahoma in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for welders in Oklahoma?
How does Oklahoma welder pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level welder salary in Oklahoma?
How many welders are employed in Oklahoma?
Which Oklahoma city offers the best value for welders?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 welder compensation across Oklahoma. State averages are employment-weighted across 27 metro areas — larger metro areas with more welderscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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