Welder Salary in Hawaii: $80,150 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Hawaii's 10 metropolitan areas, the average median welder pay sits at $80,150/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 51-4121. Because Hawaii sits at BEA RPP 119.3 (19% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $67,184 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Urban Honolulu ($81,120), Honolulu ($68,232), Kahului ($67,280).
In 2026, the average median salary for welders in Hawaii is projected to be $80,150, significantly higher than the national median of $55,895, indicating a 43.4% increase over national averages. The highest-paying city in the state is Urban Honolulu at $84,357, while Hilo offers the lowest salary at $63,277, a difference of $21,080. This gap can be attributed to varying demand for welding services, cost of living factors, and availability of jobs in urban versus rural areas. Welders in Hawaii must comply with state licensing requirements, which can include specific certifications and adherence to local scope of practice laws. The demand for skilled welders in Hawaii is driven by ongoing construction projects, maintenance of infrastructure, and the local manufacturing sector. With a total of 590 welders employed in the state and a projected growth rate of 3.99% annually, the job market for this profession is steadily expanding. Overall, cities like Honolulu, with a projected salary of $70,954, and Kahului at $69,964, reflect the state's increasing need for welding professionals, ensuring that opportunities in this field remain promising through 2026.
Hawaii Welder Salary Range
Overall salary range in Hawaii: $46,076 (lowest entry-level) to $104,219 (highest top earner)
Hawaii vs National Average
Hawaii welders earn 43.39% more than the national median (+$24,255/year difference).
Hawaii Welder Salary Distribution (2026)
Welder salaries in Hawaii range from $52,374 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $102,479 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $80,150. The Hawaii median is $24,255 above the US national median of $55,895. The average hourly rate is $38.53/hr. Approximately 590 welders are employed across 10 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$60,424
2025 BLS Actual
$77,075
2026 Current Est.
$80,150
2019–2027 Growth
+37.9%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Hawaii (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,424 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,474 | Actual |
| 2021 | $67,305 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,789 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,540 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,055 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,075 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,150 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,348 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hawaii metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 27.6% from $60,424 (2019) to $77,075 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,348 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,924 (37.94%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hawaii 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Hawaii
Lowest Paying Cities in Hawaii
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Hilo | $63,277 |
| Pearl City | $64,721 |
| Waipahu | $65,342 |
| East Honolulu | $65,368 |
| Kailua | $66,102 |
Best Value Cities for Welders in Hawaii
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Hawaii cities offer the most purchasing power for welders.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Honolulu | $84,357 | 110.961 | $76,024 |
| Kahului | $69,964 | 109.393 | $63,957 |
| Honolulu | $70,954 | 119.3 | $59,475 |
| Kaneohe | $66,262 | 119.3 | $55,542 |
| Mililani Town | $66,144 | 119.3 | $55,443 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Hawaii
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $52,374 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $80,150 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $102,479 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Hawaii metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 10 Cities in Hawaii
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Urban Honolulu | $84,357 |
| 2 | Honolulu | $70,954 |
| 3 | Kahului | $69,964 |
| 4 | Kaneohe | $66,262 |
| 5 | Mililani Town | $66,144 |
| 6 | Kailua | $66,102 |
| 7 | East Honolulu | $65,368 |
| 8 | Waipahu | $65,342 |
| 9 | Pearl City | $64,721 |
| 10 | Hilo | $63,277 |
More Hawaii Salary Data
Explore More Welder Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do welders make in Hawaii in 2026?
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How does Hawaii welder pay compare to the national average?
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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
Statewide 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. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 welder compensation across Hawaii. State averages are employment-weighted across 10 metro areas — larger metro areas with more welderscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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