Welders Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$44,520
- 25th Percentile — Junior$48,480
- 50th Percentile — Median$58,060
- 75th Percentile — Senior$70,400
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$81,940
Half of Welders in California earn more than $58,060. The top 10% make $81,940 or more, while entry-level workers start around $44,520.
Welders in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 17th of 51 states for Welders pay, at $61,120 per year (7.7% above the U.S. average of $56,760).
- 26,060 people work as Welders in California — 6.3% of all U.S. Welders jobs.
- Location quotient 0.53: Welders jobs are less concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $44,520; the top 10% earn over $81,940.
- Hourly equivalent: $29.38 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Alaska at $80,100.
- Among skilled trades jobs in California, Electrical Power-Line Installers pays the most ($125,270).
Welders Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Welders here earn $61,120 on average, placing the state 17th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $61,120 is roughly equivalent to $43,042 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, New York ($62,810), New Jersey ($62,500), Maine ($61,930) are the closest alternatives for Welders weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Skilled Trades Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Electrical Power-Line Installers $125,270/yr California +105.0% vs this role
- Telecommunications Line Installers $91,490/yr California +49.7% vs this role
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians $86,110/yr California +40.9% vs this role
- Millwrights $84,220/yr California +37.8% vs this role
- Telecommunications Equipment Installers $81,340/yr California +33.1% vs this role
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics $76,060/yr California +24.4% vs this role
- HVAC Technicians $75,370/yr California +23.3% vs this role
- Bus and Truck Mechanics $72,690/yr California +18.9% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Welders salary in California?
The average Welders salary in California is $61,120 per year (median $58,060), which is 7.7% above the national average of $56,760.
How does California rank for Welders pay?
California ranks 17th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Alaska ($80,100/yr).
How much do entry-level Welders make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Welders in California earn about $44,520 per year and the 25th percentile is $48,480.
How much do Welders make per hour in California?
About $29.38 per hour, based on the $61,120 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Welders work in California?
BLS counts 26,060 Welders jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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