Welder Salary in Portland, OR: $64,526 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Portland, OR earns a median $64,526/year (≈ $31.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Portland's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.4), that paycheck buys what $61,208 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.8% above the Oregon state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the welder salary in Portland, OR is projected to reach a median annual figure of $64,526, surpassing the national average of $55,895 by approximately 15.44%. Welders in Portland can expect to earn between $49,967 and $87,289 annually, reflecting significant variations based on skill level, certification, and work type. This data, drawn from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, highlights the earnings potential in the region. Traveling pipe welders often benefit from additional per-diem and tax-advantaged structures, allowing them to outpace local shop wages, which can affect overall compensation dynamics within the local market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,967 | $24.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,250 | $26.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,526 | $31.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,289 | $36.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87,289 | $41.97 |
Median Salary Position
15.44% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portland
In Portland, OR, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,322 (2026 est.). At $64,526, the local median is 15.44% above the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Portland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Portland Welder Pay Compares
Portland median: $64,526/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $59,307 | +8.80% more |
| National Average | $55,895 | +15.44% more |
Welders in Portland, OR earn a median of $64,526 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.44% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 8.80% above the Oregon state average of $59,307.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portland has a cost of living 5.42% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portland, OR has a cost-of-living index of 105.421 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $64,526 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $61,208 — a 5.14% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,220
2025 BLS Actual
$62,050
2026 Current Est.
$64,526
2019–2027 Growth
+36.3%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,220 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,970 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,150 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,690 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,680 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,940 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,050 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,526 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,100 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portland metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.1% from $49,220 (2019) to $62,050 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,100 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,880 (36.33%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portland 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) | $49,967 – $55,250 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,250 – $64,526 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,526 – $75,289 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,289 – $87,289 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Portland
The local job market for welders in Portland is robust, with around 3,300 individuals employed in the field. While the cost-of-living index stands at 105.421, meaning it's slightly above the national average, this factor influences effective take-home pay. Among the highest-paying employers are those in specialized sectors like oil and gas pipeline welding and aerospace defense, which frequently require advanced certifications such as AWS and ASME standards. The pay spectrum is influenced by multiple factors, including certification levels—6G pipe welders, for example, tend to command top-tier salaries. Self-employed mobile welders can also leverage their independence, although the upfront cost for rig ownership can be significant. Strategies to maximize pay include seeking certifications in high-demand areas and exploring opportunities in high-paying sectors like structural steel fabrication and nuclear power maintenance. Understanding these factors is crucial for welders in Portland to optimize their earning potential.
More salary data for Portland, 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 $62,050 for weldersin the Portland 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