Entry-Level Welder Salary in Camas, WA: $44,749 (2026)
Quick Answer:New welders entering the Camas, WA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $44,749 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 51-4121, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Camas's local price level (BEA RPP 107.4 — 7% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $41,666 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($59,069) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the starting welder salary in Camas, Washington, is projected to be around $44,749 for entry-level positions. While this figure represents a reasonable entry point into the profession, it falls short of the median annual salary of $59,069 for all welders in the city. Newly minted graduates can look forward to a growth trajectory that potentially sees their earnings rise over time—transitioning through levels such as the 25th percentile at $52,160 and aiming closely toward the median as they gain experience. This presents a promising outlook for new graduates entering the welding field in Camas, suggesting a healthy local job market ripe with opportunities for those just starting their careers.
About the Camas Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Camas
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Camas
Entry-level welders in Camas, WA typically start between $44,749 and $52,160 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $39,030 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $59,069 — 5.68% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average welding program cost in Washington of $18,000 represents just 40.22% of the starting welder pay ($44,749/year) in Camas. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on AWS-aligned welding certificate and associate programs at community colleges and technical schools. Costs vary significantly based on program length (6 months vs 2 years) and specialty certifications (structural, pipe, underwater).
WLD Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Camas
- 1Research the Camas market: entry-level welder pay ranges from $44,749 to $52,160, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the welding field — employers in WA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Camas, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Camas for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Camas's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Welder Compensation Range
The welder wage spread in Camas is $39,030 ( 87.22%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $44,749, experienced hygienists can earn up to $83,779.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$32,318
2025 BLS Actual
$43,032
2026 Current Est.
$44,749
2019–2027 Growth
+44.0%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Camas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,318 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,601 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,380 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,799 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,389 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,015 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,032 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,749 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,534 | Projected |
Entry-level welder compensation (10th percentile) in Camas, WA grew 33.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $32,318 in 2019 to $43,032 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $46,534. New graduates entering the Camas job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Camas metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.99% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your welding Career in Camas
Employers in Camas that hire new welders often include production welding shops and structural or pipe shops, where recent trade school graduates typically begin their careers as helpers or fitters. Non-union pipeline contractors may recruit certified welders for projects extending cross-country, while introductory positions with union organizations like the UA or Boilermakers can offer valuable apprenticeships that provide structured training for up to five years. The pursuit of relevant credentials, such as the AWS welder certification (covering various welding processes) or an NQA-1 approval for nuclear work, can significantly boost starting salaries. For early-career welders, those with certifications in specialized areas like 6G pipe welding can expect to command higher pay, particularly when engaging in traveling work, which could pay between $40 and $70 per hour plus per diem. With an aging workforce and a projected shortage of 360,000 welders by 2027, the demand for skilled professionals in this field remains strong, offering realistic prospects for salary growth in the initial years of a welder’s career in Camas, WA.
More salary data for Camas, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new welding graduates. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Camas. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Camas is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.99%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for welders (SOC 51-4121).
Compiled and verified by James Mendoza, AWS Certified Welder, a licensed welder with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov