Welder Salary in Vacaville, CA: $55,290 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Vacaville, CA earns a median $55,290/year (≈ $26.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Vacaville's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $48,886 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, welder salaries in Vacaville, California, present a competitive picture, particularly with pipe welders earning considerably more than their structural or production counterparts. The median annual salary of $55,290 reflects local market conditions, with a salary range from $40,901 at the 10th percentile to $83,562 at the 90th percentile. This range indicates significant variation in earnings, highly influenced by the specialization and certification levels of welders in the area. Given that local estimates are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, it's clear that sectors like pipeline welding and those requiring advanced certifications, such as 6G pipe welding, will dominate the compensation landscape in Vacaville, CA, with the highest paying opportunities typically found in industries that need specific skill sets.
About the Vacaville Market
Salary estimated from California average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,901 | $19.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,253 | $23.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,290 | $26.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,024 | $32.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,562 | $40.17 |
Median Salary Position
1.08% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Vacaville
In Vacaville, CA, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,661 (2026 est.). At $55,290, the local median is 1.08% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Vacaville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Vacaville Welder Pay Compares
Vacaville median: $55,290/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Vacaville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $55,401 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -1.08% less |
Welders in Vacaville, CA earn a median of $55,290 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.08% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 0.20% below the California state average of $55,401.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Vacaville has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Vacaville, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $55,290 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $48,886 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,031
2025 BLS Actual
$53,169
2026 Current Est.
$55,290
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Vacaville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,031 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,712 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,502 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,026 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,411 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,976 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,169 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,290 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,497 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Vacaville metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $42,031 (2019) to $53,169 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,497 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,466 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Vacaville 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) | $40,901 – $48,253 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,253 – $55,290 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,290 – $67,024 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,024 – $83,562 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Vacaville
The job market for welders in Vacaville is relatively stable, though it features approximately 15 individuals currently employed in the field. The cost of living, measured by an index of 113.1, influences take-home pay, suggesting that welders must earn a competitive wage to maintain their purchasing power in the region. Employers within the region vary greatly in pay rates, with structural steel fabrication shops typically offering lower wages compared to high-demand areas like oil and gas pipeline welding or nuclear power plant maintenance, which can significantly enhance earnings. Specialized skills, especially in areas like underwater welding or aerospace TIG welding, attract premium rates, creating a wide pay gap between the lowest and highest earners. To maximize earnings in Vacaville, welders should seek additional certifications, consider traveling jobs that can offer per-diem benefits, and explore opportunities in industries that exhibit cyclical demand, such as oil and gas.
More salary data for Vacaville, 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 $53,169 for weldersin the Vacaville 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 Vacaville 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