Welder Hourly Pay in Hanford, CA: $23.76 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Hanford, CA runs $23.76 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,416 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Hanford's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.6, 2% above national), each hour of work buys what $23.38 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,655 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Hanford, California, the welder hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $23.76 in 2026. This figure is notably lower than the national median of $26.87 per hour. For part-time welders, working three days a week, this rate translates into a viable income, especially in diverse settings like fabrication shops or pipeline welding stations. Entry-level positions may start around $20.92 per hour, while seasoned professionals can earn up to $38.24 per hour depending on their skill set and specialization. The data, drawn from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, illustrates not just the financial landscape but also the demand for effective welders across various sectors in Hanford, CA.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.92 | $167.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.75 | $182.02 |
| Median (P50) | $23.76 | $190.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.23 | $233.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.24 | $305.90 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hanford
Based on $23.76/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.76/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hanford, CA can expect to earn approximately $49,424 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,514. With a cost-of-living index of 101.61 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Hanford.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hanford
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $950.47 | $4,119 | $49,424 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $570.28 | $2,471 | $29,655 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $380.19 | $1,647 | $19,770 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Hanford) | $23.76 |
| 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 Hanford, CA earn a median of $49,416 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.59% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 10.80% below the California state average of $55,399.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.76/hr = $29,655/year (purchasing power: $29,184).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,424/year (purchasing power: $48,640).
CoL index: 101.612 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$15.61/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.85/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.76/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+58.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Hanford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.61/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.32/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.36/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.96/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.36/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.07/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.85/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.76/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.71/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Hanford grew 46.4% from $15.61/hr (2019) to $22.85/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.71/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 Hanford 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 Hanford
When considering the financial prospects for welders in Hanford, part-time workers earning at the $23.76 hourly rate could take home approximately $29,000 annually if working around 24 hours a week. In contrast, those preferring full-time positions will see marked increases, as welders frequently receive significant per diem compensation as well. Traveling welders may command anywhere from $80 to $175 per day in per diem on top of their base pay, while specialized roles like refinery turnaround welders can net rates of $50 to $80 per hour during peak periods. Additionally, rig welders who are self-employed may charge an hourly rate between $90 and $160, factoring in their equipment costs. Employers, including structural steel fabrication shops and oil and gas companies, often provide benefits packages that can sway pay scales. Thus, welders in Hanford face a unique landscape when it comes to hourly wages, shaping their choices around income versus benefits based on their personal and professional circumstances.
More salary data for Hanford, 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 Hanford. 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