Welder Salary in El Monte, CA: $56,848 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in El Monte, CA earns a median $56,848/year (≈ $27.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in El Monte's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $50,263 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In El Monte, California, the 2026 median annual salary for welders is projected to be $56,848, reflecting a slight increase compared to the national figure of $55,895. Welders in this area earn between $40,078 at the lower end (P10) and reaching as high as $83,347 (P90) for more experienced or specialized positions. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for the regional cost of living, which is notably higher than the national average. El Monte's job market is particularly influenced by the demand for pipe welders, especially those with 6G certifications, who generally command higher salaries relative to structural welders or those engaged in production work.
About the El Monte Market
Salary estimated from California average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,078 | $19.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,116 | $23.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,848 | $27.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,386 | $32.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,347 | $40.07 |
Median Salary Position
1.70% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in El Monte
In El Monte, CA, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,269 (2026 est.). At $56,848, the local median is 1.7% above the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in El Monte: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How El Monte Welder Pay Compares
El Monte median: $56,848/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | El Monte Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $55,408 | +2.60% more |
| National Average | $55,895 | +1.70% more |
Welders in El Monte, CA earn a median of $56,848 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.70% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 2.60% above the California state average of $55,408.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
El Monte has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
El Monte, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $56,848 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $50,263 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,215
2025 BLS Actual
$54,667
2026 Current Est.
$56,848
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in El Monte (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,215 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,944 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,812 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,351 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,775 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,948 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,667 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,848 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,116 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the El Monte metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $43,215 (2019) to $54,667 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,116 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,901 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the El Monte 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) | $40,078 – $48,116 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,116 – $56,848 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,848 – $67,386 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,386 – $83,347 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in El Monte
As of now, there are about 20 welders employed in El Monte, suggesting a niche market for this trade. The cost of living index stands at 113.1, indicating that living expenses in the area are above the national average, which can affect the take-home purchasing power of welders. Employers in El Monte that typically offer higher compensation include structural steel fabrication shops, oil and gas pipeline firms, and those involved in the aerospace sector. The salary range reflects various factors, including the level of certification—welders with specialized skills such as underwater and nuclear welding can expect to earn more. Other economic factors, such as the demand for traveling welders who often earn additional per-diem pay, drive the disparities in earnings. For those in El Monte looking to enhance their welder pay, pursuing advanced certifications from agencies like AWS or ASME can position them favorably in this competitive market.
More salary data for El Monte, 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 $54,667 for weldersin the El Monte 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 El Monte 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