Welder Hourly Pay in Davis, CA: $25.78 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Davis, CA runs $25.78 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $53,621 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Davis's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $22.79 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,172 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the welder hourly pay in Davis, California, is projected to be $25.78, which is slightly below the national median of $26.87. This hourly rate offers solid earning potential for part-time and per-diem welders operating in various settings, such as fabrication shops, pipeline trench welding stations, and shipyard hull installations. For part-time workers maintaining a flexible schedule of three days a week, earnings can still be substantial, while those in more specialized areas, like nuclear power maintenance or underwater welding, might command higher rates. Entry-level welders could start at approximately $18.99, while the top earners in the field can reach up to $36.64 per hour, reflecting a wide range of opportunities within the profession in Davis.
About the Davis 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) | $18.99 | $151.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.40 | $179.20 |
| Median (P50) | $25.78 | $206.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.63 | $245.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.64 | $293.09 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Davis
Based on $25.78/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.78/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Davis, CA can expect to earn approximately $53,621 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,935. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Davis.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Davis
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,031.16 | $4,468 | $53,621 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $618.70 | $2,681 | $32,172 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $412.47 | $1,787 | $21,448 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Davis) | $25.78 |
| 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 Davis, CA earn a median of $53,621 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.07% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 3.20% below the California state average of $55,394.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.78/hr = $32,172/year (purchasing power: $28,446).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $53,621/year (purchasing power: $47,410).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$19.60/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.79/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.78/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Davis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.60/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.38/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.68/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.93/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.57/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.63/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.79/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.78/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.81/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Davis grew 26.5% from $19.60/hr (2019) to $24.79/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.81/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 Davis 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 Davis
Exploring the financial dynamics, a welder working part-time for 24 hours a week could expect an annual take-home that significantly differs from full-time employment. A part-timer might earn around $31,675 depending on hours worked, whereas full-time welders can earn a median closer to $53,621. The reality of per diem positions often enhances this scenario, with traveling pipe welders receiving $80 to $175 per day on top of hourly rates ranging from $40 to $70. Special projects, like refinery turnarounds or underwater welding, can yield even higher rates, pushing earnings to $1,000-$3,000 per day during peak seasons. In Davis, welders can also see variation in pay across different employer types: structural steel fabrication shops and oil pipeline projects tend to provide distinct pay scales. Some welders opt for lower hourly wages for jobs that include health insurance benefits, understanding that this trade-off can enhance their overall job security and provide necessary coverage. When negotiating, it is critical to present track records or certifications such as AWS or NCCER, especially for specialized welding positions, to justify higher pay rates.
More salary data for Davis, 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 Davis. 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 Davis 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