Welder Salary in Nogales, AZ: $50,252 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Nogales, AZ earns a median $50,252/year (≈ $24.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Nogales's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $51,017 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.8% below the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Welders in Nogales, Arizona, can expect a median annual salary of $50,252 in 2026, which remains significantly below the national median of $55,895. The salary range for this occupation locally spans from $37,212 at the lowest 10th percentile to $66,446 for those at the 90th percentile. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, reflecting regional cost adjustments. In Nogales, pipe welding positions tend to command higher pay than structural or production welding roles, particularly due to the increased skill set required for specialized processes like 6G welding. As the local job market sees slightly over five welders currently employed, opportunities may be concentrated among those with advanced certifications and the versatility needed for traveling or pipeline work.
About the Nogales Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,212 | $17.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,560 | $22.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,252 | $24.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56,397 | $27.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $66,446 | $31.95 |
Median Salary Position
10.1% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Nogales
In Nogales, AZ, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,234 (2026 est.). At $50,252, the local median is 10.1% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Nogales: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Nogales Welder Pay Compares
Nogales median: $50,252/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Nogales Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $53,346 | -5.80% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -10.10% less |
Welders in Nogales, AZ earn a median of $50,252 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.10% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 5.80% below the Arizona state average of $53,346.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Nogales 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.
Nogales, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $50,252 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $51,017 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,201
2025 BLS Actual
$48,324
2026 Current Est.
$50,252
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Nogales (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,201 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,729 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,264 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,741 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,000 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,249 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,324 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,252 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,257 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nogales metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $38,201 (2019) to $48,324 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,257 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,056 (36.79%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nogales 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) | $37,212 – $46,560 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,560 – $50,252 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,252 – $56,397 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $56,397 – $66,446 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Nogales
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With a cost-of-living index of 98.5, welders in Nogales face a living environment that is slightly less expensive than the national average, enhancing their overall take-home purchasing power. Companies that tend to pay the most include those involved in oil and gas pipeline projects, as well as fabrication shops specializing in structural steel. The local job market offers potential earnings that vary significantly based on skill certifications, specialty areas such as aerospace or nuclear welding, and whether welders are mobile or stationary. The high-end salaries often achieved in this field can be impacted by traveling work that includes per-diem pay, which can add substantial income. To maximize earnings, welders should pursue advanced certifications and be open to contract roles, especially in sectors experiencing growth, such as petrochemicals and aerospace. By enhancing skills in high-demand specialties and maintaining flexibility in job assignments, welders can secure a more lucrative position in the Nogales job market.
More salary data for Nogales, AZ:
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
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 $48,324 for weldersin the Nogales 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 Nogales 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