Welder Salary in San Francisco, CA: $66,886 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in San Francisco, CA earns a median $66,886/year (≈ $32.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in San Francisco's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.6), that paycheck buys what $57,853 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 20.7% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For welders operating in San Francisco, a notable median annual salary of $66,886 emphasizes the strong economic conditions of the trade in this city. This figure not only represents a significant local advantage but also surpasses the national average by 19.66%, with a salary range from $49,926 to $103,917. Professionals wielding specialized certifications, particularly those in traveling pipeline welding, could see even higher compensation through tax-advantaged structures and per-diem arrangements. This landscape reflects data drawn from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, showcasing the city's well-defined welding economy, which is bolstered by its unique position in the sector.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,926 | $24.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,942 | $28.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,886 | $32.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,069 | $39.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,917 | $49.96 |
Median Salary Position
19.66% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Francisco
In San Francisco, CA, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,991 (2026 est.). At $66,886, the local median is 19.66% above the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Francisco: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Francisco Welder Pay Compares
San Francisco median: $66,886/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Francisco Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $55,415 | +20.70% more |
| National Average | $55,895 | +19.66% more |
Welders in San Francisco, CA earn a median of $66,886 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.66% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 20.70% above the California state average of $55,415.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Francisco has a cost of living 15.61% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Francisco, CA has a cost-of-living index of 115.613 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $66,886 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $57,853 — a 13.51% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,590
2025 BLS Actual
$64,320
2026 Current Est.
$66,886
2019–2027 Growth
+25.1%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in San Francisco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,590 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,520 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,620 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,010 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,410 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,890 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,320 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,886 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,555 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Francisco metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 15.7% from $55,590 (2019) to $64,320 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,555 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,965 (25.12%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Francisco 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) | $49,926 – $58,942 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,942 – $66,886 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,886 – $82,069 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,069 – $103,917 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in San Francisco
In analyzing the local job market, approximately 1,990 welders are currently employed in San Francisco, indicating healthy demand for skilled labor in a high-cost area, highlighted by a cost-of-living index of 115.613. This elevated index impacts net earnings, as taking home a decent salary in a city with such living costs requires careful consideration of wage variations among employers. The best-paying sectors include structural steel fabrication and oil and gas pipelines, while the potential for higher incomes in aerospace, nuclear, and specialized welding fields is substantial due to the skills gap projected by the AWS. Factors such as certification levels, specialty niches, and mobility between local and traveling positions create a considerable pay spread. To maximize earnings, welders should consider pursuing advanced certifications like the sought-after 6G pipe qualification and seek opportunities in sectors offering per-diem support, positioning themselves within the lucrative realms of traveling work or specialized oil and gas projects.
More salary data for San Francisco, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $64,320 for weldersin the San Francisco 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, 7-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