Welder Salary in Peoria, AZ: $54,521 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Peoria, AZ earns a median $54,521/year (≈ $26.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Peoria's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $55,351 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% above the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Peoria, Arizona, the welder salary landscape reflects a notable spectrum influenced significantly by specialization. The projected median salary for welders in 2026 is $54,521, slightly trailing the national median of $55,895. In this market, the pay gradient is heavily swayed by the type of welding being performed; pipe welders, especially those with 6G certifications, typically earn at the higher end, while structural and production welders find themselves toward the lower tier of the salary bracket, which ranges from $38,096 to $82,880. These figures are based on estimates derived from BLS state-level data that account for regional cost adjustments in Peoria, highlighting the importance of both specialization and certification in determining compensation within this skilled trade.
About the Peoria Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,096 | $18.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,887 | $22.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,521 | $26.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,242 | $30.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,880 | $39.85 |
Median Salary Position
2.46% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Peoria
In Peoria, AZ, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,784 (2026 est.). At $54,521, the local median is 2.46% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Peoria: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Peoria Welder Pay Compares
Peoria median: $54,521/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Peoria Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $53,347 | +2.20% more |
| National Average | $55,895 | -2.46% less |
Welders in Peoria, AZ earn a median of $54,521 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.46% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 2.20% above the Arizona state average of $53,347.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Peoria 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.
Peoria, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $54,521 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $55,351 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,446
2025 BLS Actual
$52,429
2026 Current Est.
$54,521
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Peoria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,446 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,104 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,855 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,372 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,737 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,347 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,429 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,521 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,696 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Peoria metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $41,446 (2019) to $52,429 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,696 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,250 (36.79%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Peoria 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) | $38,096 – $45,887 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,887 – $54,521 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,521 – $63,242 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,242 – $82,880 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Peoria
Peoria's job market for welders is relatively small yet stable, with around 33 professionals currently employed in the area, which may limit immediate competition but also indicates a steady demand for skilled labor. Given the cost of living index in Peoria stands at 98.5, welders may find they have decent purchasing power relative to their earnings, although it still lags behind national averages. Certain sectors such as oil and gas pipeline welding, particularly for cross-country operations, tend to offer the most lucrative positions. Specialization can greatly increase earning potential—skills in underwater welding, nuclear certifications, and other high-demand niches command significant premiums. In terms of maximizing pay, obtaining advanced certifications and seeking traveling assignments can yield the highest returns, as per-diem payments can significantly boost overall annual income. Additionally, positioning oneself for opportunities in high-demand industries like petrochemicals can provide pathways for financial growth in Peoria’s welding sector.
More salary data for Peoria, 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 $52,429 for weldersin the Peoria 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 Peoria 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