Welder Salary in Scranton, PA: $51,049 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Scranton, PA earns a median $51,049/year (≈ $24.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Scranton's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $54,565 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.5% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Welder salaries in Scranton, Pennsylvania, are projected to reach a median annual income of $51,049 in 2026. This figure highlights a competitive segment of the market, especially when considering the full salary range from $41,710 at the 10th percentile to $75,310 at the 90th percentile. Variations in pay typically relate to the type of welding work; pipe welders, particularly those with 6G certification, tend to command higher wages than structural or production welders. This data, derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, illustrates the local employment landscape where specialized skills significantly impact compensation. In Scranton, quality welders are in demand, reflecting broader trends in the industry.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,710 | $20.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,054 | $23.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,049 | $24.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,780 | $29.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,310 | $36.21 |
Median Salary Position
8.67% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Scranton
In Scranton, PA, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,600 (2026 est.). At $51,049, the local median is 8.67% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Scranton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Scranton Welder Pay Compares
Scranton median: $51,049/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Scranton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $54,020 | -5.50% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -8.67% less |
Welders in Scranton, PA earn a median of $51,049 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.67% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 5.50% below the Pennsylvania state average of $54,020.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Scranton has a cost of living 6.44% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Scranton, PA has a cost-of-living index of 93.556 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $51,049 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $54,565 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.89% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,330
2025 BLS Actual
$49,090
2026 Current Est.
$51,049
2019–2027 Growth
+22.5%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Scranton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,330 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,300 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,800 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,330 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,860 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,190 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,090 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,049 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,086 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Scranton metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 13.3% from $43,330 (2019) to $49,090 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,086 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,756 (22.52%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Scranton 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) | $41,710 – $48,054 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,054 – $51,049 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,049 – $61,780 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,780 – $75,310 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Scranton
The local job market supports approximately 560 welders currently employed in Scranton, PA, with a cost of living index of 93.556, indicating a below-average living expense comparison to national standards. This reduced cost of living helps enhance the purchasing power of welders, allowing for a more comfortable lifestyle even with salaries on the lower side of the national average. Employers in sectors like oil and gas pipeline welding, structural steel fabrication, and manufacturing plants often offer the highest pay in the region. Several factors influence earnings disparity, including the level of certification, job specialty, and whether welders travel for work, which can add significant per-diem benefits. Additionally, pursuing advanced certifications like ASME Section IX or specialty skills in nuclear or underwater welding can substantially elevate earning potential. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for maximizing welder pay in Scranton's competitive but evolving job market.
More salary data for Scranton, 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 $49,090 for weldersin the Scranton 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