Welder Hourly Pay in Glendale, CA: $26.80 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Glendale, CA runs $26.80 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,743 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Glendale's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $23.69 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,444 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Glendale, California, the welder hourly pay stands at a median of $26.80, which is slightly below the national median of $26.87. This rate reflects a variety of work environments, such as fabrication shops, pipeline welding stations, and industrial plant maintenance roles. For part-time welders working three days a week, the income can be quite significant, offering flexibility without completely sacrificing financial stability. Entry-level positions may start at around $20.06 per hour, while experienced welders can earn as much as $39.94 per hour. The hourly pay structure clearly allows for variation based on skill level, experience, and specific employer demands, providing opportunities for welders to maximize their earnings in Glendale's diverse job market.
About the Glendale 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) | $20.06 | $160.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.65 | $189.18 |
| Median (P50) | $26.80 | $214.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.15 | $257.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.94 | $319.54 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Glendale
Based on $26.80/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.80/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Glendale, CA can expect to earn approximately $55,740 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,158. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Glendale.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Glendale
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,071.93 | $4,645 | $55,740 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $643.16 | $2,787 | $33,444 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $428.77 | $1,858 | $22,296 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Glendale) | $26.80 |
| 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 Glendale, CA earn a median of $55,743 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.27% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 0.60% above the California state average of $55,410.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.80/hr = $33,444/year (purchasing power: $29,570).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,740/year (purchasing power: $49,284).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$20.37/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.77/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.80/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Glendale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.37/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.19/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.54/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.79/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.46/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.92/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.77/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.80/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.87/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Glendale grew 26.5% from $20.37/hr (2019) to $25.77/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.87/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 Glendale 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 Glendale
Examining the potential earnings for part-time welders in Glendale reveals that those working 24 hours a week could earn around $33,395 annually. This contrasts sharply with full-time workers who make significantly more, pointing to the trade-offs associated with part-time employment. For per-diem welders, opportunities abound to substantially increase take-home pay, particularly in specialized roles such as pipeline welding, where pay can range from $40 to $70 per hour, in addition to per-diem compensation of $80-$175 per day. In refinery turnaround jobs, welders may earn between $50 and $80 per hour, with double-time availability on weekends providing additional financial incentives. Various employer types impact hourly wage scenarios significantly; for instance, structural steel fabrication shops may pay differently than aerospace firms or self-employed mobile setups. Some welders might opt for lower-paying jobs with benefits, while others may seek higher hourly rates with no additional perks. For those negotiating pay, understanding the local market and industry standards in Glendale can be crucial for achieving favorable outcomes in discussions.
More salary data for Glendale, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for welders in Glendale in 2026?
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Related Pages
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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 Glendale. 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 Glendale 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