On Average, How Much Does an Entry Level Welder Make in Ohio?

Ohio had about 1,810 welders in 2010 and ranked within the top states for welder employment, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The educational requirements to work as a welder vary by employer. However, a welder candidate generally needs a high school diploma and formal courses in welding. The more experience and training a welder has, the more he can expect to earn as an entry-level worker, so keep reading to learn more about a welder salary in Ohio.

Welder Salary Ohio

The average yearly salary for welders in Ohio was $41,350, or $19.88 an hour, in 2019, according to the BLS. The lowest 10 percent of welders there earned an average of $28,240, or $13.58 an hour.

Welders in Cleveland averaged $37,820, or $18.18 an hour. This higher pay is attributed to greater demand. Cleveland, including Elria and Mentor, Ohio, is one of the top 10 U.S. metro areas for the number of employed welders.

Welder National Salary

The national median wage for welders around the U.S. was $40,240 a year, or $19.35 an hour per the BLS. Nationally, the lowest 10 percent earned a median salary of $26,890 per year or $12.93 an hour. The highest-paid group earned a median salary of $57,410, or $27.60 an hour.

While the BLS didn't list any industry for welding jobs that pay 100k, it showed that utility system construction companies offered the highest average wage of $57,650 a year. Car manufacturers were the most popular employer and offered the lowest average wage of $36,840.

Welder Regional Salary Comparison

Ohio welders' pay is closer to the lower end of the scale compared to other states. The highest paying state for welders is Alaska, paying an average yearly salary of $63,370, or $30.47 an hour. The other top-paying states include Louisiana, Washington, Kentucky and Massachusetts.

The lowest paying state for welders is Montana, paying an average salary of $32,420, or $15.59 an hour. The second lowest-paying state for welders is Indiana, paying $34,950, or $16.81 an hour.

Welder Career Outlook

The BLS predicts an 8 percent decrease in welders in the U.S. between 2018 and 2028. That's a drop from 37,700 welders to 34,800, a loss of 2,900 jobs.

Technology has lowered the need for workers in the field, and industry demand will also impact welding jobs in Ohio and other states. However, becoming knowledgeable of the latest technology will help along with the fact that many welders retire.