Welder Salary in San Rafael, CA: $56,214 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in San Rafael, CA earns a median $56,214/year (≈ $27.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in San Rafael's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $49,703 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual welder salary in San Rafael, California, set at $56,214 for 2026, professionals in this field are positioned slightly above the national median of $55,895. Salary ranges reflect a spectrum from $41,172 at the lower tenth percentile to $79,577 at the top ninth percentile. These figures have been derived from BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional cost factors. This compensation structure illustrates a robust opportunity, particularly for traveling welders who often leverage per-diem pay and tax advantages, driving higher earnings compared to local shop positions. Given the growing demand for skilled welding and fabrication, job prospects remain strong in San Rafael, indicative of a healthy market for welders.
About the San Rafael Market
Salary estimated from California average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,172 | $19.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,657 | $23.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,214 | $27.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,372 | $31.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,577 | $38.26 |
Median Salary Position
0.57% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Rafael
In San Rafael, CA, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,405 (2026 est.). At $56,214, the local median is 0.57% above the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Rafael: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Rafael Welder Pay Compares
San Rafael median: $56,214/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Rafael Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $55,383 | +1.50% more |
| National Average | $55,895 | +0.57% more |
Welders in San Rafael, CA earn a median of $56,214 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.57% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 1.50% above the California state average of $55,383.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Rafael has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Rafael, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $56,214 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $49,703 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,733
2025 BLS Actual
$54,057
2026 Current Est.
$56,214
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in San Rafael (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,733 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,442 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,279 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,812 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,220 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,145 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,057 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,214 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,457 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Rafael metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $42,733 (2019) to $54,057 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,457 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,724 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Rafael 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) | $41,172 – $48,657 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,657 – $56,214 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,214 – $65,372 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,372 – $79,577 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in San Rafael
Employment figures show that only 11 welders are currently in San Rafael, suggesting a tightly knit community where demand might outpace supply in the near future. The area’s cost of living, reflected in the 113.1 index, highlights the financial realities welders face when considering take-home pay versus expenses. High-paying employers in San Rafael include those in specialized welding sectors such as structural steel fabrication and oil and gas pipeline work, where certifications like the 6G pipe qualification and ASME IX standards significantly elevate earning potential. The disparity between lower and higher earnings can be attributed to various factors including the type of work, level of certification required, and the shift towards traveling positions, which may command significantly higher hourly rates due to added benefits. Welders aiming to maximize their pay will find it advantageous to pursue specialization in areas like aerospace and nuclear power, which not only offer premium pay but also ensure job stability in a fluctuating market.
More salary data for San Rafael, 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 $54,057 for weldersin the San Rafael 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 San Rafael 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