Welder Salary in Corvallis, OR: $59,638 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Corvallis, OR earns a median $59,638/year (≈ $28.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Corvallis's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 104.0), that paycheck buys what $57,335 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% above the Oregon state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Corvallis, Oregon, the outlook for welders is promising, with a projected median annual salary of $59,638 in 2026. This figure is notably higher than the national median of $55,895, reflecting a 6.70% premium for local welders. Salaries can vary significantly, with the lower 10% earning about $41,596 and the top 90% making as much as $77,701, according to data based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys. Welders in this region benefit from a diverse range of employment opportunities, whether in structural steel fabrication, oil and gas pipeline welding, or even specialized sectors like aerospace and nuclear power. The potential earnings in Corvallis point to an effective local job market that values specialized welding skills.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,596 | $20.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,132 | $24.58 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,638 | $28.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,677 | $32.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,701 | $37.35 |
Median Salary Position
6.70% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Corvallis
In Corvallis, OR, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,105 (2026 est.). At $59,638, the local median is 6.7% above the national median of $55,895.
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At 40 hours/week in Corvallis: You'd be above the median
How Corvallis Welder Pay Compares
Corvallis median: $59,638/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Corvallis Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $59,342 | +0.50% more |
| National Average | $55,895 | +6.70% more |
Welders in Corvallis, OR earn a median of $59,638 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.70% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 0.50% above the Oregon state average of $59,342.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Corvallis has a cost of living 4.02% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Corvallis, OR has a cost-of-living index of 104.017 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $59,638 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $57,335 — a 3.86% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,336
2025 BLS Actual
$57,350
2026 Current Est.
$59,638
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Corvallis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,336 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,150 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,159 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,724 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,218 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,860 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,350 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,638 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,018 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Corvallis metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $45,336 (2019) to $57,350 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,018 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,682 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Corvallis 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) | $41,596 – $51,132 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,132 – $59,638 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,638 – $67,677 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,677 – $77,701 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Corvallis
With around 60 welders currently employed in the area, the local job market remains competitive but dynamic. Corvallis has a cost-of-living index of 104.017, indicating that while wages are competitive, living expenses are slightly above the national average, impacting overall purchasing power. Among local employers, businesses focused on structural steel fabrication and oil and gas pipeline welding tend to offer the highest pay. Factors driving salary variations include certification levels, specialties like underwater and nuclear welding, as well as the essential ownership of equipment, which can require substantial investment — sometimes exceeding $150,000 for a mobile welding rig. For welders seeking to maximize their income, pursuing advanced certifications like 6G or specialties in high-demand fields may be the best strategy in this evolving market.
More salary data for Corvallis, OR:
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 $57,350 for weldersin the Corvallis 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, 2-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