Welder Hourly Pay in Irvine, CA: $27.67 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Irvine, CA runs $27.67 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,555 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Irvine's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $24.47 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,534 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Irvine, California, the welder hourly pay stands at a median rate of $27.67, surpassing the national median of $26.87. This competitive wage reflects the demand for skilled welders in various settings such as fabrication shops, pipeline working environments, and manufacturing production cells. For those working part-time, such as a welder on a three-day workweek, this hourly rate translates into substantial earnings, with opportunities available across a broad spectrum ranging from entry-level positions at $19.83 to top earners making $42.06. These figures are based on projected estimates for 2026, emphasizing the financial viability of welding careers in Irvine, where skilled labor remains a critical asset.
About the Irvine 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) | $19.83 | $158.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.84 | $190.76 |
| Median (P50) | $27.67 | $221.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.08 | $272.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.06 | $336.51 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Irvine
Based on $27.67/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.67/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Irvine, CA can expect to earn approximately $57,557 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,206. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Irvine.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Irvine
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,106.87 | $4,796 | $57,557 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $664.12 | $2,878 | $34,534 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $442.75 | $1,919 | $23,023 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Irvine) | $27.67 |
| 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 Irvine, CA earn a median of $57,555 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.97% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 3.90% above the California state average of $55,395.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.67/hr = $34,534/year (purchasing power: $30,534).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,557/year (purchasing power: $50,891).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$21.04/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.61/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.67/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Irvine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.04/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.88/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.27/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.54/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.23/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.02/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.61/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.67/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.78/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Irvine grew 26.5% from $21.04/hr (2019) to $26.61/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.78/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 Irvine 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 Irvine
Considering the part-time potential, a welder working 24 hours weekly could earn approximately $36,000 annually. Different scenarios can influence a welder's income, especially in per-diem arrangements. Traveling pipe welders in Irvine often receive an additional $80 to $175 daily for expenses on top of their hourly wages, which range between $40 and $70. During refinery turnarounds, rates can escalate to $50 to $80 an hour, with double-time on weekends being quite common. Various sectors offer differential pay; structural steel fabrication shops may have different pay scales than oil and gas pipeline welding. Understanding these dynamics can help welders negotiate better pay while weighing the benefits of positions that include health insurance against those that offer higher hourly rates without benefits. Knowing the trade-offs and accurately assessing the local job market can significantly enhance earning potential in this industry.
More salary data for Irvine, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Irvine. 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 Irvine 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