Welders Salary

Shoreline vs Spokane: Welder Salary (2026)

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

Shoreline, WA
$62,437
$30.02/hr
Spokane, WA
$61,718
$29.67/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricShoreline, WASpokane, WA
Median Salary$62,437$61,718
Hourly Rate$30.02$29.67
Entry Level (P10)$44,626$46,889
25th Percentile$53,168$50,383
75th Percentile$73,076$66,720
Top Earner (P90)$89,405$77,421
Total Employed8630
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Shoreline ($62,437) and Spokane ($61,718) welder salaries.ShorelineSpokaneMedian Salary$62,437$61,718Entry Level (P10)$44,626$46,889Top Earner (P90)$89,405$77,421US Median $55,895

Verdict

Shoreline, WA offers better overall compensation for welders, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Spokane.

The salary gap between Shoreline and Spokane is $719 (1.16%). Shoreline's median is +11.70% compared to the US national median of $55,895.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Shoreline spans $44,779,Spokane spans $30,532. Shoreline has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Shoreline
P10 (Entry)$44,626
P25$53,168
Median$62,437
P75$73,076
P90 (Top)$89,405
Spokane
P10 (Entry)$46,889
P25$50,383
Median$61,718
P75$66,720
P90 (Top)$77,421

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Spokane ($61,505 effective) pays 5.80% more than Shoreline ($58,135 effective).

Shoreline
Nominal: $62,437
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $58,135
Spokane
Nominal: $61,718
CoL Index: 100.346
Adjusted: $61,505

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Shoreline if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,437/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($89,405)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Spokane if…

  • Larger job market (630 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $61,505)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, welder salaries in Shoreline grew -10.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 32.7% growth in Spokane over the same period.

Shoreline, WA

+-10.1%

$66,790 (2024) → $60,041 (2025)

Spokane, WA

+32.7%

$44,730 (2019) → $59,350 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays welders more: Shoreline or Spokane?

Shoreline has a higher median welder salary at $62,437/year, compared to Spokane at $61,718/year — a difference of $719 (1.16%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Shoreline and Spokane?

Shoreline welders earn $30.02/hr while Spokane hygienists earn $29.67/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Shoreline to Spokane as a welder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Shoreline and Spokane. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Shoreline = $58,135, Spokane = $61,505), job availability (8 vs 630 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level welders earn in Shoreline vs Spokane?

Entry-level (10th percentile) welders earn $44,626 in Shoreline and $46,889 in Spokane. The Spokane 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