Welder Salary in Williamsport, PA: $50,050 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Williamsport, PA earns a median $50,050/year (≈ $24.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Williamsport's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.3), that paycheck buys what $54,196 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.3% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Welders in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, can expect a median annual salary of $50,050 in 2026, distinctly lower than the national average of $55,895. This salary reflects the predominance of various welding specialties in the region, particularly pipe welding, which generally pays higher due to specialized certification needs. The salary range for welders in this area extends from $39,495 at the lower echelon to $72,159 for the top earners, highlighting significant income potential for those with advanced skills and certifications such as 6G pipe. These insights are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and they indicate that while welder pay in Williamsport is competitive, it may reflect regional economic factors and industry demands that shape local wages.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,495 | $18.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,501 | $23.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,050 | $24.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,477 | $30.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72,159 | $34.69 |
Median Salary Position
10.46% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Williamsport
In Williamsport, PA, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,664 (2026 est.). At $50,050, the local median is 10.46% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Williamsport: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Williamsport Welder Pay Compares
Williamsport median: $50,050/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Williamsport Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $53,992 | -7.30% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -10.46% less |
Welders in Williamsport, PA earn a median of $50,050 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.46% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 7.30% below the Pennsylvania state average of $53,992.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Williamsport has a cost of living 7.65% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Williamsport, PA has a cost-of-living index of 92.35 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $50,050 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $54,196 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.28% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,520
2025 BLS Actual
$48,130
2026 Current Est.
$50,050
2019–2027 Growth
+31.7%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Williamsport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,520 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,590 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,190 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,300 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,860 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,190 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,130 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,050 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,047 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Williamsport metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 21.8% from $39,520 (2019) to $48,130 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,047 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,527 (31.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Williamsport 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) | $39,495 – $48,501 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,501 – $50,050 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,050 – $62,477 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,477 – $72,159 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Williamsport
Residents of Williamsport currently have about 160 welders employed, indicating a focused yet modest job market. With a cost of living index at 92.35, living expenses are below the national average, which can enhance purchasing power even with local welders' salaries trailing behind national figures. Among the highest-paying employers in the region are those in the oil and gas sector and structural steel fabrication. The wage disparity stems from various factors, including the type of welding performed and the certifications held, with those holding 6G and ASME IX credentials typically earning the most. Additionally, traveling welders, particularly those involved in pipeline projects, can expect to earn significant per-diem rates on top of their base pay. For welders looking to maximize earnings in Williamsport, pursuing specialized certifications and considering travel opportunities can substantially increase potential income.
More salary data for Williamsport, 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 $48,130 for weldersin the Williamsport 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