Welder Salary in Palm Bay, FL: $51,922 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Palm Bay, FL earns a median $51,922/year (≈ $24.96/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Palm Bay's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 100.0), that paycheck buys what $51,919 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% above the Florida state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Palm Bay, FL, the welder pay reflects a competitive local market characterized by varying specializations. With a projected median annual salary of $51,922 for 2026, welders earn a range from $34,223 at the lower end to $69,112 at the top, with salary estimates derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data. This figure is slightly below the national median, which stands at $55,895, indicating that while Palm Bay offers decent compensation, it may not fully capitalize on the national average. The salary dynamics are heavily influenced by demand in the region for specific welding skills, particularly in pipeline and structural welding, which remain dominant in the local economy.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,223 | $16.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,523 | $22.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,922 | $24.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,248 | $29.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69,112 | $33.22 |
Median Salary Position
7.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Palm Bay
In Palm Bay, FL, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,889 (2026 est.). At $51,922, the local median is 7.11% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Palm Bay: You'd be above the median
How Palm Bay Welder Pay Compares
Palm Bay median: $51,922/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Palm Bay Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $51,819 | +0.20% more |
| National Average | $55,895 | -7.11% less |
Welders in Palm Bay, FL earn a median of $51,922 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.11% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 0.20% above the Florida state average of $51,819.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Palm Bay has a cost of living 0.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Palm Bay, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.005 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $51,922 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $51,919 — a 0.01% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,090
2025 BLS Actual
$49,930
2026 Current Est.
$51,922
2019–2027 Growth
+38.1%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Palm Bay (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,090 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,280 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,870 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,620 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,720 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,930 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,922 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,994 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Palm Bay metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 27.7% from $39,090 (2019) to $49,930 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,994 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,904 (38.13%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Palm Bay 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) | $34,223 – $47,523 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,523 – $51,922 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,922 – $62,248 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,248 – $69,112 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Palm Bay
The job market for welders in Palm Bay is robust, with around 600 individuals currently employed in the field. The cost of living index of 100.005 indicates that residents experience costs slightly above the national average, which can impact take-home pay and purchasing power. Employers in sectors such as structural steel fabrication, oil and gas pipeline projects, and aerospace are among the highest payers in the area. Pay disparities often correlate with the level of certification required for each specialty, where 6G pipe welders with ASME IX qualifications command the premium rates. Additionally, traveling welders can maximize earnings with per-diem allowances significantly enhancing their income. For those looking to increase their welder salary in Palm Bay, pursuing advanced certifications, such as underwater welding or nuclear certification, can lead to higher pay brackets and improved job opportunities.
More salary data for Palm Bay, FL:
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 $49,930 for weldersin the Palm Bay 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