Welder Hourly Pay in San Francisco, CA: $32.16 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in San Francisco, CA runs $32.16 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,886 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against San Francisco's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.6, 16% above national), each hour of work buys what $27.82 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,141 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Welders in San Francisco, California, can expect a competitive hourly pay rate, with the median figure projected at $32.16 per hour in 2026. This amount not only reflects the city's elevated cost of living but is also significantly above the national hourly median of $26.87. Such compensation proves beneficial for various work arrangements, including part-time positions that could afford a welder taking on three days a week an attractive income, given the rate. The hourly pay range for welders here spans from $24.00 at the 10th percentile up to $49.96 for top earners, indicating a lucrative opportunity in sectors like structural fabrication and specialized pipeline welding. This BLS data highlights the region’s robust demand for skilled welders equipped with credentials like AWS certification, especially in prevalent settings including fabrication shops and mobile rig setups.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.00 | $192.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.34 | $226.70 |
| Median (P50) | $32.16 | $257.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.45 | $315.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.96 | $399.65 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Francisco
Based on $32.16/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.16/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Francisco, CA can expect to earn approximately $66,901 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,597. With a cost-of-living index of 115.61 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Francisco.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Francisco
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,286.56 | $5,575 | $66,901 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $771.94 | $3,345 | $40,141 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $514.63 | $2,230 | $26,761 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (San Francisco) | $32.16 |
| 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 San Francisco, CA earn a median of $66,886 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.66% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 20.70% above the California state average of $55,415.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.16/hr = $40,141/year (purchasing power: $34,720).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,901/year (purchasing power: $57,867).
CoL index: 115.613 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$26.72/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.93/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.16/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in San Francisco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.72/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.69/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.18/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.37/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.52/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.72/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.93/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.16/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.45/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in San Francisco grew 15.8% from $26.72/hr (2019) to $30.93/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.45/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 San Francisco 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 San Francisco
When considering part-time welders working a 24-hour weekly schedule, the financial benefits can be substantial, potentially generating around $40,000 annually, depending on overtime and project variety. For those seeking more flexibility, per diem opportunities are also a factor to consider; traveling pipe welders can command $40-$70 per hour along with daily per-diem pay ranging from $80 to $175, particularly during refinery turnarounds where rates can skyrocket to $50-$80 per hour, plus double-time on weekends. Furthermore, the work environment plays a critical role in determining wages. Structural steel fabrication shops and shipyards, for instance, often offer different compensation than oil and gas pipeline projects. It is essential for welders to weigh the value of long-term employment benefits against higher hourly rates in contract work. Negotiating rates in San Francisco can be strategic; showing comparable offers from unionized versus non-union employers could position welders favorably in discussions about their hourly pay.
More salary data for San Francisco, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for welders in San Francisco 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 San Francisco. 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