Welder Salary — 2026 Data
Fabricate and join metal components for construction, manufacturing, and infrastructure. Compare compensation across 50 locations, from entry-level to senior positions.
| Location | Entry-Level | Mid-Level | Senior | COL Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $49K – $70K | $65K – $97K | $92K – $132K | 180 |
| New York | $46K – $67K | $61K – $92K | $87K – $125K | 170 |
| San Jose | $48K – $70K | $64K – $96K | $91K – $131K | 178 |
| Seattle | $44K – $63K | $59K – $88K | $83K – $120K | 155 |
| Los Angeles | $41K – $60K | $55K – $83K | $78K – $113K | 150 |
| Boston | $42K – $61K | $57K – $85K | $80K – $116K | 145 |
| Washington D.C. | $43K – $62K | $58K – $86K | $82K – $118K | 150 |
| San Diego | $40K – $58K | $54K – $81K | $76K – $110K | 140 |
| Chicago | $38K – $55K | $50K – $76K | $71K – $103K | 115 |
| Austin | $39K – $56K | $52K – $78K | $73K – $106K | 110 |
| Denver | $38K – $55K | $50K – $76K | $71K – $103K | 120 |
| Atlanta | $36K – $52K | $48K – $72K | $68K – $98K | 105 |
| Dallas | $36K – $52K | $48K – $72K | $68K – $98K | 105 |
| Houston | $36K – $51K | $48K – $71K | $67K – $97K | 102 |
| Miami | $38K – $55K | $50K – $76K | $71K – $103K | 125 |
| Phoenix | $34K – $49K | $46K – $68K | $65K – $93K | 100 |
| Philadelphia | $37K – $53K | $49K – $73K | $69K – $100K | 110 |
| Minneapolis | $37K – $53K | $49K – $73K | $69K – $100K | 108 |
| Portland | $39K – $56K | $52K – $78K | $73K – $106K | 130 |
| San Antonio | $33K – $48K | $44K – $66K | $63K – $90K | 95 |
| Detroit | $34K – $49K | $45K – $68K | $64K – $92K | 95 |
| Raleigh | $35K – $51K | $47K – $71K | $67K – $96K | 102 |
| Charlotte | $35K – $51K | $47K – $71K | $67K – $96K | 102 |
| Nashville | $36K – $51K | $48K – $71K | $67K – $97K | 105 |
| Orlando | $34K – $49K | $46K – $68K | $65K – $93K | 102 |
| Tampa | $35K – $50K | $46K – $69K | $65K – $94K | 100 |
| Jacksonville | $33K – $48K | $44K – $66K | $63K – $90K | 98 |
| Salt Lake City | $35K – $51K | $47K – $71K | $67K – $96K | 108 |
| Pittsburgh | $33K – $48K | $44K – $66K | $63K – $90K | 95 |
| Indianapolis | $33K – $48K | $44K – $66K | $63K – $90K | 95 |
| Columbus | $33K – $48K | $45K – $67K | $63K – $91K | 95 |
| Cleveland | $32K – $47K | $43K – $65K | $61K – $88K | 92 |
| Cincinnati | $33K – $47K | $44K – $66K | $62K – $89K | 94 |
| Kansas City | $34K – $49K | $45K – $68K | $64K – $92K | 95 |
| St. Louis | $33K – $48K | $44K – $66K | $63K – $90K | 92 |
| Milwaukee | $33K – $48K | $45K – $67K | $63K – $91K | 94 |
| Baltimore | $36K – $52K | $48K – $72K | $68K – $98K | 108 |
| Richmond | $34K – $49K | $46K – $68K | $65K – $93K | 100 |
| Virginia Beach | $34K – $49K | $45K – $68K | $64K – $92K | 98 |
| Sacramento | $38K – $55K | $50K – $76K | $71K – $103K | 125 |
| Las Vegas | $35K – $51K | $47K – $71K | $67K – $96K | 108 |
| Oklahoma City | $32K – $46K | $42K – $63K | $60K – $86K | 88 |
| Memphis | $32K – $46K | $42K – $63K | $60K – $86K | 88 |
| Louisville | $32K – $47K | $43K – $65K | $61K – $88K | 90 |
| New Orleans | $33K – $48K | $44K – $66K | $63K – $90K | 95 |
| Albuquerque | $32K – $47K | $43K – $65K | $61K – $88K | 95 |
| Tucson | $32K – $47K | $43K – $65K | $61K – $88K | 95 |
| Buffalo | $32K – $47K | $43K – $65K | $61K – $88K | 90 |
| Honolulu | $38K – $55K | $50K – $76K | $71K – $103K | 175 |
| Remote (US) | $34K – $49K | $46K – $68K | $65K – $93K | 100 |
Comparing offers? Our AI coach helps you maximize your compensation.
Start your negotiation prepRelated Roles
🤖
Ask the AI CoachNegotiating a Welder offer?
Stop guessing. Get personalized scripts, market insights, and expert tactics for your specific situation using our free AI negotiation coach.
Get AI-Powered Welder Salary Insights
Know exactly what you should earn as a Welder. Get negotiation scripts, offer evaluation, and personalized coaching — free for workers.