Welder Hourly Pay in Bakersfield, CA: $28.68 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Bakersfield, CA runs $28.68 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,649 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Bakersfield's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.9, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $28.43 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,793 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Welders in Bakersfield, CA, can expect a median hourly pay of $28.68, which is significantly higher than the national median of $26.87. This advantageous hourly rate opens a wide range of opportunities for both part-time and per-diem welders working in various settings, from fabrication shop production lines to pipeline trench welding stations and refinery turnaround projects. Those entering the field will find entry-level positions starting at approximately $19.01 per hour, while seasoned professionals can reach the upper echelons of earnings, with the top 10% making up to $39.35 per hour. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, providing a reliable snapshot of what welders can anticipate in Bakersfield.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.01 | $152.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.14 | $185.10 |
| Median (P50) | $28.68 | $229.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.11 | $280.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.35 | $314.80 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bakersfield
Based on $28.68/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.68/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bakersfield, CA can expect to earn approximately $59,655 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,417. With a cost-of-living index of 100.89 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bakersfield.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bakersfield
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,147.22 | $4,971 | $59,655 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $688.33 | $2,983 | $35,793 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $458.89 | $1,989 | $23,862 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Bakersfield) | $28.68 |
| Machinist (National Avg) | $25.72 |
| Sheet Metal Worker (National Avg) | $28.93 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic (National Avg) | $29.53 |
| Boilermaker (National Avg) | $35.08 |
Welders in Bakersfield, CA earn a median of $59,649 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.72% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 7.70% above the California state average of $55,384.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.68/hr = $35,793/year (purchasing power: $35,479).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,655/year (purchasing power: $59,131).
CoL index: 100.886 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$21.99/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.58/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.68/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+35.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Bakersfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.99/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.07/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.00/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.36/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.98/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.23/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.58/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.68/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.82/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Bakersfield grew 25.4% from $21.99/hr (2019) to $27.58/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.82/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem welders can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bakersfield 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.
Working as an Hourly Welder in Bakersfield
Analyzing the broader earning landscape, a part-time welder working three days a week can take home an estimated annual income significantly lower than full-time coworkers, yet still a respectable sum. For instance, a typical 24-hour workweek could yield close to $35,000 annually. In contrast, traveling per diem welders in the Bakersfield region can command daily allowances ranging from $80 to $175, on top of their base pay which can reach $70 per hour during critical projects like refinery turnarounds. Employers vary widely, from structural steel fabricators to oil pipeline builders, affecting hourly rates significantly. Welders working in specialized fields, such as underwater or nuclear facility work, often negotiate higher rates for unique skill sets, adding layers of complexity to the job market. Many welders might accept lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits like health insurance, creating a delicate balance between immediate pay and long-term security. Understanding these factors can be pivotal for welders in Bakersfield looking to maximize their earnings.
More salary data for Bakersfield, CA:
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for welders in Bakersfield. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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