Welder Salary in Weirton, WV: $57,621 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Weirton, WV earns a median $57,621/year (≈ $27.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Weirton's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.0), that paycheck buys what $64,725 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.2% above the West Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Weirton, WV, the welder salary is projected at a median of $57,621 in 2026, reflecting a 3.09% increase over the national median of $55,895. This figure underscores the city's unique market conditions, where the salary range varies broadly from $39,225 at the 10th percentile to $90,586 at the 90th percentile. The local welding job landscape showcases a diverse pay gradient, with pipe welders often commanding higher wages, particularly for those with advanced certifications such as 6G pipe welding. In contrast, structural and production welders may find themselves on the lower end of the pay spectrum. Data derived from official BLS OEWS surveys indicates an active demand for welders in Weirton, with opportunities distributed across various sectors that drive compensation differences.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,225 | $18.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,237 | $21.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,621 | $27.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,829 | $30.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90,586 | $43.55 |
Median Salary Position
3.09% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Weirton
In Weirton, WV, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,361 (2026 est.). At $57,621, the local median is 3.09% above the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Weirton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Weirton Welder Pay Compares
Weirton median: $57,621/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Weirton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia Average | $50,902 | +13.20% more |
| National Average | $55,895 | +3.09% more |
Welders in Weirton, WV earn a median of $57,621 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.09% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 13.20% above the West Virginia state average of $50,902.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Weirton has a cost of living 10.98% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Weirton, WV has a cost-of-living index of 89.024 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $57,621 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,725 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.33% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,380
2025 BLS Actual
$55,410
2026 Current Est.
$57,621
2019–2027 Growth
+60.3%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Weirton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,380 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,790 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,880 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,130 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,090 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,950 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,410 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,621 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,920 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Weirton metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 48.2% from $37,380 (2019) to $55,410 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,920 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,540 (60.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Weirton 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) | $39,225 – $44,237 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,237 – $57,621 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,621 – $63,829 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,829 – $90,586 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Weirton
With 180 welders employed in Weirton, the job market remains competitive despite a cost-of-living index of 89.024, suggesting that salaries may stretch further than in higher-cost areas. Employers in sectors like oil and gas, shipbuilding, and nuclear maintenance typically offer the most substantial compensation packages, often reflecting the specialty of work and the certification requirements. The wage disparity can be influenced by factors such as traveling versus local work, with travelers benefiting from per-diem increases of 30-50% on their base pay. Furthermore, welders who invest in their own rig trucks—an ownership cost ranging from $80k to $150k—can amplify their earning potential. For welders in Weirton looking to maximize their income, pursuing higher certifications and considering specialty trades can yield notable benefits. Additionally, understanding the economic fluctuations tied to pipeline work may serve as a strategic advantage in navigating job opportunities in the region.
More salary data for Weirton, WV:
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 $55,410 for weldersin the Weirton 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