SOC 51-4121 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers — Parkersburg
Parkersburg-Vienna, WV · 6 metro areas compared
In Parkersburg, WV the median wage is $49,330.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Parkersburg, WV the median wage is $49,330. That is 8.2% lower than the national median of $53,750. Pay ranges from under $36,180 at the tenth percentile to more than $66,520 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $41,810 to $58,150.
The area has 90 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.94 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Weirton records the highest median at $55,410. Of the 164 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 72nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,180 | −32.7% |
| 25th | $41,810 | −22.2% |
| Median (50th) | $49,330 | −8.2% |
| 75th | $58,150 | +8.2% |
| 90th | $66,520 | +23.8% |
| Mean | $51,550 | −4.1% |
Other metro areas in West Virginia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Weirton | $55,410 | 180 | |
| 2 | Wheeling | $49,920 | 160 | |
| 3 | Beckley | $48,960 | 120 | |
| 4 | Charleston | $48,000 | 190 | |
| 5 | Morgantown | $47,650 | 140 | |
| 6 | Huntington | $46,980 | 550 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Parkersburg run 10.5% below the national average, so the median of $49,330 goes as far as $55,117 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 2.5% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$49,330as reported by BLSLocal price level
89.5US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$55,117US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $49,330 a year, 8.2% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $36,180 to $66,520 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 90 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Weirton, at $55,410.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers in Parkersburg, WV?
The median annual wage is $49,330, or $23.72 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $53,750, so pay in Parkersburg, WV is 8.2% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Parkersburg, WV earns more than $66,520 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $36,180 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Weirton, at $55,410 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 90 jobs in this occupation in Parkersburg, WV. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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