Welder Salary in Fairfield, CA: $57,126 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Fairfield, CA earns a median $57,126/year (≈ $27.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Fairfield's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $50,509 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, welders in Fairfield, California, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $57,126, marking a slight increase over the national median of $55,895. This compensation reflects the economic dynamics of traveling pipe welders, who often benefit from per-diem arrangements and tax advantages, leading to higher earnings that can range from $40,661 at the 10th percentile to $82,057 at the 90th percentile. Local estimates of welder pay in Fairfield, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost factors, suggest a competitive market where demand influences salaries significantly. The landscape is influenced by various sectors, including structural steel fabrication and oil and gas pipeline work, underscoring the potential for lucrative earnings depending on specialization and work type.
About the Fairfield Market
Salary estimated from California average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,661 | $19.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,688 | $23.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,126 | $27.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,839 | $32.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,057 | $39.45 |
Median Salary Position
2.20% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fairfield
In Fairfield, CA, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,396 (2026 est.). At $57,126, the local median is 2.2% above the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fairfield: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fairfield Welder Pay Compares
Fairfield median: $57,126/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fairfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $55,408 | +3.10% more |
| National Average | $55,895 | +2.20% more |
Welders in Fairfield, CA earn a median of $57,126 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.20% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 3.10% above the California state average of $55,408.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fairfield has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fairfield, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $57,126 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $50,509 — a 11.58% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$43,426
2025 BLS Actual
$54,934
2026 Current Est.
$57,126
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Fairfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,426 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,163 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,046 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,587 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,018 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,299 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,934 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,126 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,405 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fairfield metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $43,426 (2019) to $54,934 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,405 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,979 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fairfield 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) | $40,661 – $48,688 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,688 – $57,126 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,126 – $66,839 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,839 – $82,057 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Fairfield
Examining the local job market, Fairfield employs approximately 25 welders, presenting a tight-knit community that is shaped by the cost of living index of 113.1, which is above the national average. This means welders in the area might find their purchasing power impacted, necessitating a strategic approach to maximize earnings. Employers in this region that tend to pay the most include those in shipyards, aerospace and defense, as well as high-stakes pipeline industries where specialized certifications, such as the 6G pipe certification and NQA-1 for nuclear work, are in demand. Variations in pay are also driven by the type of work, with traveling versus local work presenting disparities in compensation, particularly as rig welder ownership entails hefty investments. For those looking to enhance their welder pay in Fairfield, pursuing advanced certifications and considering opportunities with traveling work could greatly influence long-term earnings potential in this competitive market.
More salary data for Fairfield, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do welders make in Fairfield, CA in 2026?
Is Fairfield, CA a good place to work as a welder?
Can welders make $100K in Fairfield?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted welder salary in Fairfield?
How much does a welder make per hour in Fairfield?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 $54,934 for weldersin the Fairfield 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 Fairfield 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