Welder Salary in Wildwood, FL: $45,225 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Wildwood, FL earns a median $45,225/year (≈ $21.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Wildwood's price level (15% below national, BEA RPP 85.4), that paycheck buys what $52,942 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.8% below the Florida state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wildwood, Florida, the projected median annual salary for welders in 2026 is $45,225, which reflects a significant gap of approximately 19.09% compared to the national median of $55,895. Salaries in this region span from $42,293 at the 10th percentile to $58,505 at the 90th percentile, showcasing a range that can appeal to both entry-level and experienced professionals. These figures, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS surveys, highlight the disparities faced by welders in Wildwood compared to their counterparts nationwide. For those considering a pathway into welding, understanding the local job market's compensation can inform equipment investments and overall career strategy.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,293 | $20.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,293 | $20.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $45,225 | $21.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52,817 | $25.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58,505 | $28.13 |
Median Salary Position
19.09% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wildwood
In Wildwood, FL, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $16,212 (2026 est.). At $45,225, the local median is 19.09% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wildwood: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Wildwood Welder Pay Compares
Wildwood median: $45,225/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wildwood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $51,864 | -12.80% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -19.09% less |
Welders in Wildwood, FL earn a median of $45,225 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.09% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 12.80% below the Florida state average of $51,864.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wildwood has a cost of living 14.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wildwood, FL has a cost-of-living index of 85.424 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $45,225 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,942 in an average-cost city — an effective 17.06% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$34,379
2025 BLS Actual
$43,490
2026 Current Est.
$45,225
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Wildwood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,379 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,755 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,037 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,465 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,598 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,090 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,490 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,225 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,030 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wildwood metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $34,379 (2019) to $43,490 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,030 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,651 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wildwood 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) | $42,293 – $42,293 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,293 – $45,225 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $45,225 – $52,817 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $52,817 – $58,505 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Wildwood
Local employment trends show that approximately 80 welders currently work in Wildwood, benefiting from a cost-of-living index of 85.424, which is lower than the national average. This favorable cost structure allows welders to retain more of their take-home pay, even at the regional pay levels. Among local employers, structural steel fabrication shops and oil and gas pipeline welding companies tend to offer the most competitive compensation, along with opportunities in specialized fields such as aerospace and nuclear power. The variance in pay relates directly to factors like certification levels, type of work, and the economic cycles associated with the oil and gas industry. Welders can maximize their earnings by pursuing advanced certifications like the 6G pipe or ASME IX, taking on mobile projects that provide per-diem allowances, and strategically targeting industries experiencing growth.
More salary data for Wildwood, 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 $43,490 for weldersin the Wildwood 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, 2-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