Welder Salary in Lake Oswego, OR: $58,069 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Lake Oswego, OR earns a median $58,069/year (≈ $27.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Lake Oswego's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $56,597 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the Oregon state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a median annual salary projected at $58,069 in 2026, the welder salary in Lake Oswego positions itself slightly above the national median of $55,895. Welders in this affluent suburb of Oregon can experience a salary range spanning from $42,405 at the tenth percentile to as high as $80,206 at the ninetieth percentile. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, which has been adjusted for regional cost considerations. The market dynamics reveal that pipe welders, particularly those with advanced certifications, tend to command higher wages compared to structural or production welders, making specialized skills a key driver of compensation.
About the Lake Oswego Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,405 | $20.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,925 | $24.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,069 | $27.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,663 | $32.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,206 | $38.56 |
Median Salary Position
3.89% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lake Oswego
In Lake Oswego, OR, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,801 (2026 est.). At $58,069, the local median is 3.89% above the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lake Oswego: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lake Oswego Welder Pay Compares
Lake Oswego median: $58,069/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lake Oswego Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $59,315 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | +3.89% more |
Welders in Lake Oswego, OR earn a median of $58,069 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.89% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 2.10% below the Oregon state average of $59,315.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lake Oswego has a cost of living 2.60% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lake Oswego, OR has a cost-of-living index of 102.6 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $58,069 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $56,597 — a 2.53% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,143
2025 BLS Actual
$55,841
2026 Current Est.
$58,069
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Lake Oswego (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,143 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,909 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,839 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,389 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,844 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,252 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,841 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,069 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,386 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lake Oswego metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $44,143 (2019) to $55,841 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,386 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,243 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lake Oswego 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) | $42,405 – $49,925 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,925 – $58,069 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,069 – $66,663 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,663 – $80,206 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Lake Oswego
As of now, eight welders are actively employed in Lake Oswego, an indication of a niche but stable job market. The local cost of living index sits at 102.6, slightly above the national average, affecting the purchasing power of take-home wages. Welders in this area seeking higher pay should target industries like oil and gas pipeline welding, structural steel fabrication, and nuclear power plant maintenance, where compensation can be particularly lucrative. Factors influencing the pay variance include the level of certification—such as the sought-after 6G pipe certification—allure of traveling positions, and specialization in high-demand areas like underwater welding. Aspiring welders in Lake Oswego would benefit from expanding their skill set and seeking out opportunities with employers known for higher compensation to maximize their earnings potential in this competitive market.
More salary data for Lake Oswego, 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 $55,841 for weldersin the Lake Oswego 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 Lake Oswego 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