Welder Salary in Sierra Vista, AZ: $55,281 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Sierra Vista, AZ earns a median $55,281/year (≈ $26.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Sierra Vista's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.2), that paycheck buys what $61,944 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.6% above the Arizona state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, those working as welders in Sierra Vista, Arizona, can expect a median annual compensation of $55,281, which is slightly lower than the national median of $55,895. The salary range for welders in this area spans from $39,017 at the 10th percentile to a maximum of $94,922 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from the BLS 2025 OEWS surveys, reflects local market conditions where traveling pipe welders often secure better pay through per-diem and tax-advantaged structures compared to local shop positions. The presence of specialty trades, such as pipe welding and structural fabrication, can also influence earnings, with regional demand shaping the figures for this occupation.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,017 | $18.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,350 | $21.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,281 | $26.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,325 | $34.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94,922 | $45.64 |
Median Salary Position
1.1% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sierra Vista
In Sierra Vista, AZ, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,905 (2026 est.). At $55,281, the local median is 1.1% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sierra Vista: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sierra Vista Welder Pay Compares
Sierra Vista median: $55,281/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sierra Vista Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $53,360 | +3.60% more |
| National Average | $55,895 | -1.10% less |
Welders in Sierra Vista, AZ earn a median of $55,281 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.10% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 3.60% above the Arizona state average of $53,360.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sierra Vista has a cost of living 10.76% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sierra Vista, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 89.243 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $55,281 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,944 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.05% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,024
2025 BLS Actual
$53,160
2026 Current Est.
$55,281
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Sierra Vista (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,024 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,420 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,500 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,380 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,140 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,910 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,160 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,281 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,487 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sierra Vista metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $42,024 (2019) to $53,160 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,487 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,463 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sierra Vista 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) | $39,017 – $45,350 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,350 – $55,281 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,281 – $72,325 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,325 – $94,922 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Sierra Vista
A closer look at the employment scene reveals only about 50 welders currently working in Sierra Vista, indicating a niche market that may still experience growth, projected at an annual rate of 3.99%. The cost of living in the area, measured by an index of 89.243, suggests that take-home pay might stretch further than in many other U.S. locations. Employers in sectors like structural steel fabrication and the aerospace industry often provide the highest pay scales in the region. Additionally, factors such as certification levels—particularly those who hold 6G pipe and ASME IX credentials—can drive wage differences significantly. Traveling welders may enjoy premiums of 30-50% due to per-diem benefits, while rig welders face high ownership costs related to their welding trucks. Those keen to maximize earnings should consider pursuing specialized certifications and seeking opportunities that involve travel or high-demand sectors like oil and gas.
More salary data for Sierra Vista, 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 $53,160 for weldersin the Sierra Vista 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-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