Welder Hourly Pay in Huntington Beach, CA: $26.73 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Huntington Beach, CA runs $26.73 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,599 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Huntington Beach's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $23.63 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,353 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Welder hourly pay in Huntington Beach, California, is projected to reach a median of $26.73 in 2026. This figure is slightly below the national median of $26.87, indicating a competitive but modest pay scale for local welders. Those working in diverse environments such as fabrication shops, pipeline trenches, and shipyards can expect to see an hourly range spanning from $19.98 at entry-level positions to as much as $40.63 for top earners. This broad spectrum allows for various employment arrangements, including part-time positions typically clocking in around three days a week, which can provide a stable income for those balancing other commitments. Most rates are estimated from annual salaries, highlighting that welders can expect versatile opportunities depending on their skill level and the specific demands of their work environment.
About the Huntington Beach 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) | $19.98 | $159.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.50 | $188.01 |
| Median (P50) | $26.73 | $213.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.98 | $247.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.63 | $325.03 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Huntington Beach
Based on $26.73/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.73/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Huntington Beach, CA can expect to earn approximately $55,589 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,071. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Huntington Beach.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Huntington Beach
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,069.02 | $4,632 | $55,589 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $641.41 | $2,779 | $33,353 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $427.61 | $1,853 | $22,236 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Huntington Beach) | $26.73 |
| 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 Huntington Beach, CA earn a median of $55,599 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.53% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 0.30% above the California state average of $55,433.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.73/hr = $33,353/year (purchasing power: $29,490).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,589/year (purchasing power: $49,150).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$20.32/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.70/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.73/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Huntington Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.32/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.13/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.48/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.73/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.40/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.83/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.70/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.73/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.79/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Huntington Beach grew 26.5% from $20.32/hr (2019) to $25.70/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.79/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 Huntington Beach 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 Huntington Beach
When assessing part-time earnings, a welder working just three days a week (24 hours total) in Huntington Beach could receive a significant income, albeit less than a full-time counterpart. Depending on their experience and the type of welding they perform, they might earn around $31,000 annually, while full-time welders may achieve around $55,599 based on the hourly median. For those willing to take per-diem roles, pay can increase dramatically; traveling pipe welders might command base rates between $40-$70 per hour while also receiving daily stipends ranging from $80 to $175 for expenses. Meanwhile, specialized roles such as refinery turnaround welders can earn upwards of $50-$80 per hour with the potential for double-time on weekends. Self-employed welders or rig owner-operators can demand $90 to $160 per hour, particularly when factoring in equipment costs. Despite some welders opting for lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance, savvy negotiators can capitalize on Huntington Beach's varied industry landscape—from aerospace to petrochemical to construction—crafting deals that maximize their hourly pay, including considerations for overtime and skill premiums, such as those for NQA-1 or 6G certification.
More salary data for Huntington Beach, 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 Huntington Beach. 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 Huntington Beach 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