Welder Hourly Pay in Buena Park, CA: $26.98 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Buena Park, CA runs $26.98 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,109 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Buena Park's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $23.85 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,665 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Welder hourly pay in Buena Park, California, averages $26.98, slightly higher than the national median of $26.87. This competitive rate is particularly appealing for part-time welders who might work three days a week, offering them a chance to earn a comfortable income while maintaining flexibility. Typically engaged in various settings such as fabrication shops or pipeline trench welding stations, workers can expect to see hourly rates ranging from $19.71 for entry-level positions to $38.17 for top earners. Whether operating in busy shipyards or managing their own mobile rig setups, the potential for earnings varies significantly depending on experience and the type of work being performed. This hourly rate serves as a starting point for both regular and per-diem workers in the welding industry, reflecting market demands and the skills required in specialized welding tasks.
About the Buena Park Market
Salary estimated from California average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.71 | $157.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.28 | $186.27 |
| Median (P50) | $26.98 | $215.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.30 | $250.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.17 | $305.40 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Buena Park
Based on $26.98/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.98/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Buena Park, CA can expect to earn approximately $56,108 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,370. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Buena Park.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Buena Park
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,079.00 | $4,676 | $56,108 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $647.40 | $2,805 | $33,665 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $431.60 | $1,870 | $22,443 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Buena Park) | $26.98 |
| 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 Buena Park, CA earn a median of $56,109 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.38% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 1.30% above the California state average of $55,389.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.98/hr = $33,665/year (purchasing power: $29,766).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,108/year (purchasing power: $49,609).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$20.51/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.94/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.98/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Buena Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.51/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.33/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.69/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.94/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.62/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.14/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.94/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.98/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.05/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Buena Park grew 26.5% from $20.51/hr (2019) to $25.94/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.05/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 Buena Park 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 Buena Park
Exploring the earnings potential for part-time welders in Buena Park reveals that someone working 24 hours a week could take home substantial yearly compensation, making it a viable option for those balancing other commitments. Per diem welder pay in Buena Park can escalate significantly, particularly for traveling projects where welders may earn an additional $80-$175 per day for expenses. Specialized roles like refinery turnaround welders can command $50-$80 per hour, often doubling on weekends, while owner-operators in the field can charge between $90-$160 per hour. Each type of employer influences pay scales, with fabrication shops generally offering stable hourly rates, while high-demand sectors like oil and gas or nuclear maintenance can yield additional financial rewards. Negotiating for better rates can be beneficial for welders, especially when factoring in health benefits; some may opt for lower hourly rates within unionized settings where healthcare is included, whereas independent operators might seek higher pay without benefits.
More salary data for Buena Park, 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 Buena Park. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Buena Park 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