Welder Salary in Oregon City, OR: $58,741 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Oregon City, OR earns a median $58,741/year (≈ $28.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Oregon City's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $57,252 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% below the Oregon state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Oregon City, OR, the welder salary landscape reflects a median annual income of $58,741 for 2026, slightly above the national median of $55,895. With a salary range extending from $44,027 at the lower end (P10) to $80,386 for skilled professionals (P90), local welders benefit from competitive compensation compared to national averages. These projections, based on 2025 BLS data, account for regional economic conditions including cost of living adjustments. While static local shop pay often forms the baseline, traveling pipe welders may significantly enhance their earnings through per-diem benefits, making the retreat from the local market potentially lucrative for those seeking higher per-hour rates.
About the Oregon City Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,027 | $21.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,338 | $24.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,741 | $28.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,979 | $32.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,386 | $38.64 |
Median Salary Position
5.09% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oregon City
In Oregon City, OR, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,359 (2026 est.). At $58,741, the local median is 5.09% above the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oregon City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oregon City Welder Pay Compares
Oregon City median: $58,741/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oregon City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $59,334 | -1.00% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | +5.09% more |
Welders in Oregon City, OR earn a median of $58,741 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.09% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 1.00% below the Oregon state average of $59,334.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oregon City has a cost of living 2.60% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Oregon City, OR has a cost-of-living index of 102.6 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $58,741 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $57,252 — a 2.53% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,654
2025 BLS Actual
$56,487
2026 Current Est.
$58,741
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Oregon City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,654 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,440 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,404 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,961 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,432 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,926 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,487 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,741 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,085 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oregon City metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $44,654 (2019) to $56,487 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,085 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,431 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oregon City 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) | $44,027 – $51,338 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,338 – $58,741 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,741 – $66,979 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,979 – $80,386 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Oregon City
The job market for welders in Oregon City remains relatively modest with only six welders employed locally, but opportunities abound for those willing to pursue specialized roles. The cost-of-living index of 102.6 indicates that local salaries must contend with an above-average cost of living, impacting take-home purchasing power. Factors such as certification levels, expertise with advanced techniques like 6G pipe welding, and employer type can create considerable pay disparities. Those working in oil and gas pipeline projects, for instance, often see higher wages, particularly when coupled with traveling positions. To maximize income in Oregon City, welders should aim for sought-after certifications like ASME IX and explore mobile welding roles. Additionally, seeking work in industries poised for growth—such as aerospace or nuclear power—could further enhance earning potential in this evolving market.
More salary data for Oregon City, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $56,487 for weldersin the Oregon City 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 Oregon City 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