Welder Salary in Buckeye, AZ: $52,431 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Buckeye, AZ earns a median $52,431/year (≈ $25.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Buckeye's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $53,229 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, welders in Buckeye, Arizona, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $52,431, which is notably lower than the national median of $55,895. The salary range for this occupation spans from $39,958 at the 10th percentile to $76,268 at the 90th percentile, providing a wide spectrum of earning potential based on various factors such as experience and specialization. Local figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost-of-living dynamics, reflect the unique economic conditions in Buckeye. Those considering a career in welding should be aware that while traveling pipe welders may yield higher per-diem earnings, local shop pay still competes for skilled labor, particularly as demand grows.
About the Buckeye Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,958 | $19.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,510 | $22.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,431 | $25.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60,081 | $28.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,268 | $36.67 |
Median Salary Position
6.2% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Buckeye
In Buckeye, AZ, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,310 (2026 est.). At $52,431, the local median is 6.2% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Buckeye: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Buckeye Welder Pay Compares
Buckeye median: $52,431/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Buckeye Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $53,337 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -6.20% less |
Welders in Buckeye, AZ earn a median of $52,431 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.20% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 1.70% below the Arizona state average of $53,337.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Buckeye has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Buckeye, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $52,431 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $53,229 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,857
2025 BLS Actual
$50,419
2026 Current Est.
$52,431
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Buckeye (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,857 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,451 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,097 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,594 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,907 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,341 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,419 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,431 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,523 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Buckeye metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $39,857 (2019) to $50,419 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,523 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,666 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Buckeye 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $39,958 – $46,510 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,510 – $52,431 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,431 – $60,081 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $60,081 – $76,268 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Buckeye
Currently, the job market in Buckeye employs 19 welders, a relatively small number contributing to local dynamics within the broader welding sector. With a cost of living index at 98.5, welders in this area may find their purchasing power slightly amplified compared to national averages. Employers in Buckeye that tend to offer higher wages include structural steel fabrication shops and those involved in oil and gas pipeline projects, where specialized skills are in demand. The variance between lower and higher wages is influenced by factors such as certification levels (with 6G pipe certifications commanding premiums) and the type of work—traveling welders often receive per-diem that can add substantially to earnings. For those seeking to maximize pay locally, pursuing advanced certifications or specializing in lucrative fields like nuclear welding or underwater work can significantly enhance earning potential within Buckeye’s job market.
More salary data for Buckeye, AZ:
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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $50,419 for weldersin the Buckeye metropolitan area. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Buckeye 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