Welders Salary

Bremerton vs Kenmore: Welder Salary (2026)

Compare welder salaries between Bremerton, WA and Kenmore, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bremerton, WA
$74,582
$35.86/hr
Kenmore, WA
$58,441
$28.10/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBremerton, WAKenmore, WA
Median Salary$74,582$58,441
Hourly Rate$35.86$28.10
Entry Level (P10)$55,915$46,164
25th Percentile$62,966$52,586
75th Percentile$97,636$67,497
Top Earner (P90)$105,404$80,570
Total Employed7406
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bremerton ($74,582) and Kenmore ($58,441) welder salaries.BremertonKenmoreMedian Salary$74,582$58,441Entry Level (P10)$55,915$46,164Top Earner (P90)$105,404$80,570US Median $55,895

Verdict

Bremerton, WA offers better overall compensation for welders, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Kenmore.

The salary gap between Bremerton and Kenmore is $16,141 (27.62%). Bremerton's median is +33.43% compared to the US national median of $55,895.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bremerton spans $49,489,Kenmore spans $34,406. Bremerton has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Bremerton
P10 (Entry)$55,915
P25$62,966
Median$74,582
P75$97,636
P90 (Top)$105,404
Kenmore
P10 (Entry)$46,164
P25$52,586
Median$58,441
P75$67,497
P90 (Top)$80,570

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Bremerton ($70,622 effective) pays 29.79% more than Kenmore ($54,414 effective).

Bremerton
Nominal: $74,582
CoL Index: 105.607
Adjusted: $70,622
Kenmore
Nominal: $58,441
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $54,414

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bremerton if…

  • Higher median salary ($74,582/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($105,404)
  • Larger job market (740 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $70,622)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Kenmore if…

  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, welder salaries in Bremerton grew 27.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -10.1% growth in Kenmore over the same period.

Bremerton, WA

+27.0%

$56,470 (2019) → $71,720 (2025)

Kenmore, WA

+-10.1%

$62,515 (2024) → $56,199 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays welders more: Bremerton or Kenmore?

Bremerton has a higher median welder salary at $74,582/year, compared to Kenmore at $58,441/year — a difference of $16,141 (27.62%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bremerton and Kenmore?

Bremerton welders earn $35.86/hr while Kenmore hygienists earn $28.10/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bremerton to Kenmore as a welder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bremerton and Kenmore. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bremerton = $70,622, Kenmore = $54,414), job availability (740 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level welders earn in Bremerton vs Kenmore?

Entry-level (10th percentile) welders earn $55,915 in Bremerton and $46,164 in Kenmore. The Bremerton area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JM

Written by James Mendoza, AWS Certified Welder

Career Analyst

James has over 10 years of experience in welding. He specializes in MIG and TIG welding. He has worked in various manufacturing settings.

Clinically reviewed by Priya Singh, CWIData verified by Liam O'Connor, Welding Instructor

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.99% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by James Mendoza, AWS Certified Welder, a licensed welder with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov