Welder Salary in Daly City, CA: $56,867 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Daly City, CA earns a median $56,867/year (≈ $27.34/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Daly City's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $50,280 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, welders in Daly City, California, can expect a median annual salary of $56,867, which slightly surpasses the projected national average of $55,895. The local wage range is considerable, from $39,892 at the 10th percentile to $81,295 at the 90th percentile, indicating a dynamic market influenced by skill specialization and certification levels. Pipe welders, particularly those with the prestigious 6G certification, often command the highest salaries due to their ability to undertake complex jobs, while structural welders and those involved in production welding typically see lower pay scales. These salary figures reflect estimates from BLS state-level data and regional cost adjustments, illustrating the competitive landscape for welding talent in Daly City.
About the Daly City Market
Salary estimated from California average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,892 | $19.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,154 | $23.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,867 | $27.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,172 | $31.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,295 | $39.08 |
Median Salary Position
1.74% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Daly City
In Daly City, CA, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,403 (2026 est.). At $56,867, the local median is 1.74% above the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Daly City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Daly City Welder Pay Compares
Daly City median: $56,867/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Daly City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $55,426 | +2.60% more |
| National Average | $55,895 | +1.74% more |
Welders in Daly City, CA earn a median of $56,867 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.74% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 2.60% above the California state average of $55,426.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Daly City has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Daly City, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $56,867 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $50,280 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,229
2025 BLS Actual
$54,685
2026 Current Est.
$56,867
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Daly City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,229 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,959 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,828 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,367 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,791 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,971 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,685 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,867 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,136 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Daly City metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $43,229 (2019) to $54,685 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,136 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,907 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Daly City 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) | $39,892 – $48,154 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,154 – $56,867 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,867 – $66,172 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,172 – $81,295 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Daly City
In terms of local job market strength, there are currently approximately 20 welders employed in Daly City, a number that speaks to the area's niche market dynamics. The cost of living index stands at 113.1, indicating that while salaries are relatively competitive, purchasing power may be impacted by higher living expenses. Among local employers, structural steel fabrication shops and oil and gas pipeline companies often offer the most lucrative positions, especially for those willing to travel for work, as per-diem rates can significantly increase earnings. Factors affecting the pay spectrum include certification status, with specialties such as underwater welding, aerospace, and nuclear welding attracting higher compensation. Additionally, the aging workforce and rising demand projected by industry experts hint at lucrative opportunities for welders in the near future, emphasizing the importance of advanced certifications and ongoing skills development to maximize pay in Daly City, CA.
More salary data for Daly City, 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 $54,685 for weldersin the Daly City 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 Daly City 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