Welder Salary in Concord, CA: $56,803 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Concord, CA earns a median $56,803/year (≈ $27.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Concord's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $50,224 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Welding professionals in Concord, CA, can anticipate a competitive salary landscape in 2026, with a median annual compensation of $56,803. The projected salary range for welders varies significantly, from $39,976 at the 10th percentile to $83,189 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from BLS state-level estimates and adjusted for regional cost factors, reflects the importance of advancing skill sets, with traveling pipe welders often earning more due to per-diem structures and specialized certifications. The pay in local shops may not rival that of traveling positions, highlighting a unique aspect of the Concord job market that favors flexibility in projects and locations.
About the Concord Market
Salary estimated from California average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,976 | $19.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,024 | $23.09 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,803 | $27.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,277 | $32.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,189 | $39.99 |
Median Salary Position
1.62% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Concord
In Concord, CA, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,213 (2026 est.). At $56,803, the local median is 1.62% above the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Concord: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Concord Welder Pay Compares
Concord median: $56,803/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Concord Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $55,418 | +2.50% more |
| National Average | $55,895 | +1.62% more |
Welders in Concord, CA earn a median of $56,803 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.62% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 2.50% above the California state average of $55,418.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Concord has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Concord, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $56,803 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $50,224 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,181
2025 BLS Actual
$54,624
2026 Current Est.
$56,803
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Concord (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,181 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,909 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,774 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,313 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,736 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,891 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,624 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,803 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,070 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Concord metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $43,181 (2019) to $54,624 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,070 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,889 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Concord 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) | $39,976 – $48,024 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,024 – $56,803 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,803 – $67,277 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,277 – $83,189 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Concord
In terms of local employment dynamics, there are currently 29 welders in Concord, which suggests a relatively small but potentially stable market for those entering the trade. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, the purchasing power in Concord is somewhat compromised, making it crucial for welders to strategize their career paths to maximize income. Employers in the area, particularly in niche sectors like oil and gas pipeline welding and aerospace manufacturing, tend to offer the highest pay, often tied to specialized skills such as 6G pipe certification or underwater welding techniques. The disparity between the lowest and highest salaries can be attributed to various factors, including specialization, certification levels, and the cyclical nature of traveling work that can offer substantial per-diem pay. For those navigating the Concord welder salary scene, enhancing qualifications and pursuing specialty certifications will be key to increasing earning potential in this evolving market.
More salary data for Concord, CA:
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 $54,624 for weldersin the Concord 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 Concord 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