Welder Hourly Pay in Mountain View, CA: $26.79 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Mountain View, CA runs $26.79 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,714 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Mountain View'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 $33,431 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Mountain View, California, the welder hourly pay is projected to be $26.79 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $26.87 per hour. This rate reflects the dynamic nature of welding jobs in the area, where opportunities in fabrication shops, pipeline trench welding, and shipyard platforms offer varying amounts based on expertise and employer type. For those working part-time or as per-diem welders, such as those on different project sites, this hourly rate translates into practical earnings for those who may only be available three days a week. At the lower end of the pay scale, entry-level welders can expect hourly pay starting at approximately $19.26, while top earners—such as those in specialized roles or high-demand locations—can bring in as much as $37.52 per hour.
About the Mountain View 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) | $19.26 | $154.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.89 | $183.11 |
| Median (P50) | $26.79 | $214.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.84 | $246.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.52 | $300.16 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Mountain View
Based on $26.79/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.79/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Mountain View, CA can expect to earn approximately $55,719 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,145. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Mountain View.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Mountain View
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,071.51 | $4,643 | $55,719 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $642.91 | $2,786 | $33,431 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $428.61 | $1,857 | $22,287 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Mountain View) | $26.79 |
| 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 Mountain View, CA earn a median of $55,714 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.32% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 0.60% above the California state average of $55,381.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.79/hr = $33,431/year (purchasing power: $29,559).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,719/year (purchasing power: $49,265).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$20.36/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.76/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.79/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Mountain View (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.36/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.18/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.53/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.78/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.45/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.90/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.76/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.79/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.86/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Mountain View grew 26.5% from $20.36/hr (2019) to $25.76/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.86/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 Mountain View 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 Mountain View
Focusing on the earning potential for part-time welders, someone working a 3-day week (roughly 24 hours total) would take home approximately $33,570 annually, demonstrating a viable income compared to full-time positions. Moreover, those engaged in per-diem work can significantly enhance their earnings, as traveling pipe welders often receive a base rate between $40 and $70 per hour plus daily per diem, which ranges from $80 to $175. In sectors like refinery turnarounds, welders might make $50-$80 per hour with opportunities for double-time on weekends, while rig welder owner-operators can charge $90-$160 per hour, factoring in equipment costs. With specialized skills in high demand, such as NQA-1 certification and 6G pipe welding, welders in Mountain View have the option to negotiate based on their qualifications and the available benefits, weighing the security of lower hourly rates with health insurance against potentially higher pay without benefits.
More salary data for Mountain View, 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 Mountain View. 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 Mountain View 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