Welder Salary in McMinnville, OR: $58,809 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in McMinnville, OR earns a median $58,809/year (≈ $28.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in McMinnville's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $57,319 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Oregon state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In McMinnville, Oregon, the welder salary landscape reveals a projected median annual income of $58,809 in 2026, surpassing the national median of $55,895 by 5.21%. The salary range for welders here spans from $44,196 at the P10 level to $80,617 for the P90, indicating a diverse spectrum of pay based on skill level, specialty, and employer type. Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional pricing adjustments suggest that pipe welders, particularly those with 6G certifications, tend to command the highest wages, followed by those in structural welding and production roles. This hierarchy reflects the demand for specialties in McMinnville's welding market, illustrating how various certifications and experience levels directly influence income potential.
About the McMinnville Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,196 | $21.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,484 | $24.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,809 | $28.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,140 | $32.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,617 | $38.76 |
Median Salary Position
5.21% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in McMinnville
In McMinnville, OR, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,421 (2026 est.). At $58,809, the local median is 5.21% above the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in McMinnville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How McMinnville Welder Pay Compares
McMinnville median: $58,809/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | McMinnville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $59,344 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | +5.21% more |
Welders in McMinnville, OR earn a median of $58,809 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.21% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 0.90% below the Oregon state average of $59,344.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
McMinnville has a cost of living 2.60% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
McMinnville, OR has a cost-of-living index of 102.6 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $58,809 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $57,319 — a 2.53% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,706
2025 BLS Actual
$56,553
2026 Current Est.
$58,809
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in McMinnville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,706 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,494 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,462 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,019 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,492 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,995 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,553 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,809 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,156 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the McMinnville metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $44,706 (2019) to $56,553 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,156 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,450 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the McMinnville 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) | $44,196 – $51,484 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,484 – $58,809 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,809 – $67,140 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,140 – $80,617 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in McMinnville
The local job market incorporates a limited pool of welders, with only five employed in the area, accentuating both the opportunities and the competition within McMinnville's welding scene. The cost of living, indexed at 102.6, suggests that while salaries may be higher than the national average, expenses also bear consideration for overall take-home pay. Among the employers paying top salaries are structural steel fabrication shops and companies involved in pipeline welding. Variations in income may arise from factors such as certification prestige—where 6G pipe and NQA-1 specialists typically earn more—and whether welders elect to work locally or travel for contracts, as traveling positions often include significant per-diem compensation. For welders looking to maximize pay, investing in advanced certifications, considering mobile welding opportunities, and staying attuned to market trends is essential in this dynamic McMinnville environment.
More salary data for McMinnville, 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 $56,553 for weldersin the McMinnville 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 McMinnville 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