Welder Salary in Johnstown, PA: $48,647 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Johnstown, PA earns a median $48,647/year (≈ $23.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Johnstown's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.9), that paycheck buys what $56,613 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.9% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, welders in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $48,647, which is approximately 12.97% lower than the national figure of $55,895. The salary range reflects varying experience levels and specialized skills, with entry-level positions starting around $39,683 and top earners reaching as much as $64,983, according to data derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys. The diverse range in welder pay in Johnstown, PA, underscores the impact of equipment ownership, such as the significant investment required for a rig welder. Those who manage to successfully navigate this investment often enjoy higher hourly rates, making it a vital consideration for those entering the local job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,683 | $19.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,388 | $19.89 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,647 | $23.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52,765 | $25.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64,983 | $31.24 |
Median Salary Position
12.97% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Johnstown
In Johnstown, PA, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,300 (2026 est.). At $48,647, the local median is 12.97% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Johnstown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Johnstown Welder Pay Compares
Johnstown median: $48,647/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Johnstown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $53,992 | -9.90% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -12.97% less |
Welders in Johnstown, PA earn a median of $48,647 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.97% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 9.90% below the Pennsylvania state average of $53,992.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Johnstown has a cost of living 14.07% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Johnstown, PA has a cost-of-living index of 85.929 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $48,647 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $56,613 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.38% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,110
2025 BLS Actual
$46,780
2026 Current Est.
$48,647
2019–2027 Growth
+40.1%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Johnstown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,110 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,300 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,880 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,230 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,110 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,230 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,780 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,647 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,588 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Johnstown metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 29.5% from $36,110 (2019) to $46,780 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,588 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,478 (40.09%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Johnstown 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) | $39,683 – $41,388 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,388 – $48,647 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,647 – $52,765 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $52,765 – $64,983 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Johnstown
The welder job market in Johnstown features about 170 individuals currently employed in this field, which adds a layer of stability to the area's economy. A cost-of-living index of 85.929 indicates that living expenses are below the national average, potentially enhancing the purchasing power of welders despite a lower median salary compared to national figures. Employers in sectors such as oil and gas pipeline welding or nuclear power maintenance tend to offer more competitive wages, influenced by the specialized skills required and the fluctuating demand in these industries. The variance in compensation can be attributed to factors such as certification levels, specialty areas, and whether welders are self-employed. To maximize earnings in Johnstown's market, welders should focus on acquiring advanced certifications like the 6G pipe qualification, seek opportunities in travel-based roles that offer per-diem, and consider positioning themselves in high-demand sectors to create a robust career trajectory.
More salary data for Johnstown, PA:
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 $46,780 for weldersin the Johnstown 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