How does a Welder's salary in Scranton compare to the rest of Pennsylvania?

Scranton's cost of living index is 85 vs. the national average of 100, so salaries are adjusted downward accordingly. A Welder earning the city-adjusted median of $40,409 earns $11,991 less than the median household income in Scranton ($52,400).

Welder Salary in Scranton, PA — 2026 Guide

Estimated salaries are adjusted for Scranton's cost of living (index: 85). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.

Welder Salary in Scranton — Key Numbers

$40,409

Median Salary

$31,850

25th Percentile

$51,408

75th Percentile

$65,051

90th Percentile

National median (Welder)$47,540

vs. National median-15.0%

Scranton median household income$52,400

vs. City household income-22.9%

Cost of Living in Scranton

Cost of Living Index

85(100 = avg)

Median Monthly Rent$1,000/mo

Rent-to-Income Ratio29.7%

Annual rent cost$12,000

Median Home Price$155,000

Home Price / Salary3.8×

20% Down Payment$31,000

Years to save (20% rate)3.8 yrs

Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.

Job Market in Scranton

4.4%

Unemployment Rate

560,000

Metro Population

22 min

Avg Commute

Median Age

Scranton has a metro population of 560,000, offering a sizeable job market with strong opportunities across key sectors. The 4.4% unemployment rate is near the national average.

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Cost of Living — Scranton

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Welder Salary in Pennsylvania

Statewide salary breakdown

Other Professions in Scranton

Physician$194,905 Chief Executive Officer$178,500 Dentist$149,184 IT Manager$144,084 Marketing Manager$133,977 Lawyer$123,896

Welder Salary — Other Pennsylvania Cities

Philadelphia, PA$48,015 Pittsburgh, PA$43,261 Allentown, PA$46,589 Harrisburg, PA$43,261 Lancaster, PA$44,688

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Welder make in Scranton, PA?

The estimated median salary for a Welder in Scranton is $40,409 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $47,540 adjusted by Scranton's cost of living index (85). The typical salary range runs from $31,850 (25th percentile) to $51,408 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $65,051.

Is Scranton affordable for a Welder?

On a $40,409 annual salary, a Welder in Scranton would spend approximately 29.7% of gross monthly income on median rent ($1,000/month). This is approaching the 30–35% cost-burden threshold; careful budgeting is recommended. The median home price of $155,000 is 3.8× the annual salary.

How does a Welder's salary compare to Scranton's overall income?

Scranton's median household income is $52,400. A Welder earning the city-adjusted median of $40,409 earns 22.9% less than the typical Scranton household income. This may reflect that the profession is entry-level or that Scranton has a particularly high median household income due to high-earning industries.

Explore More Salary Data

Welder — National Welder in Pennsylvania All Salary Guides

Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.