Welder Salary in Grants Pass, OR: $53,378 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Grants Pass, OR earns a median $53,378/year (≈ $25.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Grants Pass's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.8), that paycheck buys what $54,601 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.0% below the Oregon state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Grants Pass, OR, the welding landscape reveals distinct economic opportunities shaped by both local and traveling market dynamics. The projected median annual welder salary in 2026 stands at $53,378, slightly below the national benchmark of $55,895. Local welders can expect to see salaries ranging from $49,083 at the lower end to up to $66,970 in more lucrative positions. With data sourced from the 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, these insights reflect the unique factors influencing welder compensation in the area, including the growing demand for skilled professionals amid an aging workforce. Understanding this pay structure is essential for aspiring welders navigating their careers in Grants Pass, where the fabric of employment is continually evolving.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,083 | $23.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,141 | $25.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,378 | $25.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,280 | $29.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $66,970 | $32.20 |
Median Salary Position
4.5% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Grants Pass
In Grants Pass, OR, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $17,887 (2026 est.). At $53,378, the local median is 4.5% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Grants Pass: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Grants Pass Welder Pay Compares
Grants Pass median: $53,378/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Grants Pass Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $59,309 | -10.00% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -4.50% less |
Welders in Grants Pass, OR earn a median of $53,378 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.50% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 10.00% below the Oregon state average of $59,309.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Grants Pass has a cost of living 2.24% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Grants Pass, OR has a cost-of-living index of 97.76 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $53,378 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $54,601 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$32,190
2025 BLS Actual
$51,330
2026 Current Est.
$53,378
2019–2027 Growth
+72.4%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Grants Pass (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,190 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,670 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,690 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,380 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,700 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,640 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,330 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,378 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,508 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Grants Pass metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 59.5% from $32,190 (2019) to $51,330 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,508 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,318 (72.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Grants Pass 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) | $49,083 – $52,141 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,141 – $53,378 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,378 – $62,280 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,280 – $66,970 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Grants Pass
With around 100 welders currently employed in Grants Pass, the job market remains stable but competitive. The cost of living index in the area is pegged at 97.76, slightly below the national average. This lower cost of living aids purchasing power for local welders, but employers such as structural steel fabrication shops and companies focused on oil and gas pipeline welding typically offer the highest wages. Factors driving the disparity in welder pay include certification levels, specialization in areas like underwater or nuclear welding, and whether workers are local or traveling. Traveling welders, particularly those with certifications like the 6G pipe and experience in the oil and gas sector, often enjoy pay boosts of 30-50% due to per-diem structures. Maximizing earnings in Grants Pass may involve cultivating specific skills and considering opportunities in high-demand sectors, ensuring welders position themselves advantageously within this evolving market.
More salary data for Grants Pass, 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 $51,330 for weldersin the Grants Pass 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