Welder Salary in Alaska: $77,379 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Alaska's 5 metropolitan areas, the average median welder pay sits at $77,379/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 51-4121. Because Alaska sits at BEA RPP 106.1 (6% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $72,930 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Fairbanks ($80,210), Anchorage ($74,000), Juneau ($56,378).
In Alaska, the average median salary for welders in 2026 is projected to be $77,379, significantly higher than the national median of $55,895, representing a 38.4% increase over national averages. Among the five metro areas, Fairbanks leads with the highest salary of $83,410, while Sitka offers the lowest at $54,789, resulting in a salary gap of $28,621. Factors contributing to this disparity include local job demand, cost of living differences, and opportunities in various industries, such as oil and gas, which are more prominent in Fairbanks. Welders in Alaska typically face specific state licensing requirements and must adhere to local scope of practice laws that dictate their work. The job market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 3.99%, driven by ongoing infrastructure projects and the need for repair and maintenance in a challenging environment. With a total of 335 welders employed statewide, strong demand persists in cities like Anchorage, where salaries average $76,953, and Juneau, where they reach $58,627. Overall, the welding profession in Alaska offers a compelling landscape for both new and experienced welders, emphasizing the importance of understanding local employment conditions and requirements.
Alaska Welder Salary Range
Overall salary range in Alaska: $41,769 (lowest entry-level) to $114,327 (highest top earner)
Alaska vs National Average
Alaska welders earn 38.44% more than the national median (+$21,484/year difference).
Alaska Welder Salary Distribution (2026)
Welder salaries in Alaska range from $50,741 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $101,963 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $77,379. The Alaska median is $21,484 above the US national median of $55,895. The average hourly rate is $37.20/hr. Approximately 335 welders are employed across 5 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$70,413
2025 BLS Actual
$74,410
2026 Current Est.
$77,379
2019–2027 Growth
+14.3%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Alaska (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,413 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,023 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,424 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,457 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,677 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,613 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,410 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,379 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,466 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Alaska metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 5.7% from $70,413 (2019) to $74,410 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,466 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,053 (14.28%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Alaska 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Alaska
Best Value Cities for Welders in Alaska
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Alaska cities offer the most purchasing power for welders.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairbanks | $83,410 | 103.208 | $80,817 |
| Anchorage | $76,953 | 105.42 | $72,997 |
| Juneau | $58,627 | 106.1 | $55,256 |
| Wasilla | $54,826 | 106.1 | $51,674 |
| Sitka | $54,789 | 106.1 | $51,639 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Alaska
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $50,741 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $77,379 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $101,963 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Alaska metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 5 Cities in Alaska
More Alaska Salary Data
Explore More Welder Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do welders make in Alaska in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for welders in Alaska?
How does Alaska welder pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level welder salary in Alaska?
How many welders are employed in Alaska?
Which Alaska city offers the best value for welders?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 welder compensation across Alaska. State averages are employment-weighted across 5 metro areas — larger metro areas with more welderscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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