Welder Salary in East Honolulu, HI: $65,368 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in East Honolulu, HI earns a median $65,368/year (≈ $31.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in East Honolulu's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $54,793 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, welders in East Honolulu, Hawaii, can expect a median annual salary of $65,368. This figure is notably higher than the national median of $55,895, reflecting a local premium of 16.95%. Welders in the region see a salary range from $47,615 at the lower end (P10) to $94,498 at the high end (P90). These estimates are derived from BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional price parities, emphasizing the unique economic landscape of East Honolulu. For those considering a career in welding, ownership of equipment such as an $80,000 to $150,000 welding truck can influence earnings potential significantly while providing the flexibility of mobile work.
About the East Honolulu Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,615 | $22.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,315 | $27.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,368 | $31.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,745 | $35.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94,498 | $45.43 |
Median Salary Position
16.95% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in East Honolulu
In East Honolulu, HI, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,883 (2026 est.). At $65,368, the local median is 16.95% above the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in East Honolulu: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How East Honolulu Welder Pay Compares
East Honolulu median: $65,368/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | East Honolulu Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $66,702 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | +16.95% more |
Welders in East Honolulu, HI earn a median of $65,368 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.95% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 2.00% below the Hawaii state average of $66,702.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
East Honolulu has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
East Honolulu, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $65,368 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $54,793 — a 16.18% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$49,692
2025 BLS Actual
$62,860
2026 Current Est.
$65,368
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in East Honolulu (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,692 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,680 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,978 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,597 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,235 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,185 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,860 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,368 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,976 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the East Honolulu metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $49,692 (2019) to $62,860 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,976 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,284 (36.79%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the East Honolulu 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) | $47,615 – $56,315 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,315 – $65,368 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,368 – $73,745 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,745 – $94,498 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in East Honolulu
Looking at the local job market, East Honolulu employs around 12 welders, underscoring a relatively niche environment that can significantly affect dynamics in compensation. The cost of living index stands at 119.3, which means welders must account for higher living expenses when evaluating their take-home pay. Employers specializing in structural steel fabrication, oil and gas pipeline welding, or manufacturing often offer the best pay. Salary disparities are driven by various factors such as certification level—6G pipe welders generally earn more than structural welders—as well as the nature of the work, including travel and per-diem opportunities. For those in the East Honolulu area looking to maximize welder pay, pursuing advanced certifications from AWS or specialized roles like underwater welding can open doors to higher earnings and job stability, especially as the industry faces a projected shortage of skilled welders in the coming years.
More salary data for East Honolulu, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do welders make in East Honolulu, HI in 2026?
Is East Honolulu, HI a good place to work as a welder?
Can welders make $100K in East Honolulu?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted welder salary in East Honolulu?
How much does a welder make per hour in East Honolulu?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Hawaii
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 $62,860 for weldersin the East Honolulu 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 East Honolulu 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