Welder Salary in Urban Honolulu, HI: $84,357 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Urban Honolulu, HI earns a median $84,357/year (≈ $40.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Urban Honolulu's price level (11% above national, BEA RPP 111.0), that paycheck buys what $76,024 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 26.5% above the Hawaii state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Urban Honolulu, the welder salary is projected to reach a median of $84,357 in 2026, significantly above the national average of $55,895. This reflects a robust local market for welders characterized by varying pay scales depending on the specialization. The salary range here spans from $54,096 at the 10th percentile to as high as $104,219 at the 90th percentile, indicating a competitive environment for welding professionals. Among different welding fields, pipe welders, particularly those with advanced certifications like 6G and ASME Section IX, are expected to command some of the highest wages, as their skills are in high demand for infrastructure and energy projects throughout Hawaii. This dynamic labor market underscores the value of specialization and certification in determining earning potential.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,096 | $26.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,720 | $32.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,357 | $40.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96,388 | $46.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104,219 | $50.10 |
Median Salary Position
50.92% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Urban Honolulu
In Urban Honolulu, HI, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,123 (2026 est.). At $84,357, the local median is 50.92% above the national median of $55,895.
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At 40 hours/week in Urban Honolulu: You'd be above the median
How Urban Honolulu Welder Pay Compares
Urban Honolulu median: $84,357/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Urban Honolulu Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $66,685 | +26.50% more |
| National Average | $55,895 | +50.92% more |
Welders in Urban Honolulu, HI earn a median of $84,357 per year (2026 est.), which is 50.92% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 26.50% above the Hawaii state average of $66,685.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Urban Honolulu has a cost of living 10.96% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Urban Honolulu, HI has a cost-of-living index of 110.961 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $84,357 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $76,024 — a 9.88% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,070
2025 BLS Actual
$81,120
2026 Current Est.
$84,357
2019–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Urban Honolulu (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,070 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,570 | Actual |
| 2021 | $67,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,450 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,540 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,350 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,120 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,357 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,723 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Urban Honolulu metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 37.3% from $59,070 (2019) to $81,120 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,723 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,653 (48.51%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Urban 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) | $54,096 – $66,720 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,720 – $84,357 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,357 – $96,388 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $96,388 – $104,219 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Urban Honolulu
On the practical side, Urban Honolulu employs approximately 430 welders, providing a stable job market despite the cost of living index sitting at 110.961. This means that while salaries may appear high, the purchasing power is somewhat mitigated by the elevated cost of living in the area. Companies such as oil and gas pipeline welding outfits and shipyards tend to offer the most lucrative positions, driven by specialty needs and project demands. Additionally, factors like certification levels and the type of welding work performed have a substantial impact on salary variations. For those looking to maximize earnings in this market, investing in certifications such as underwater welding or nuclear welding can significantly elevate wage potential. Additionally, pursuing traveling positions can add per diem bonuses, which often boost overall compensation by 30-50%. Understanding these nuances can provide welders in Urban Honolulu with more strategies to optimize their earning capacity.
More salary data for Urban Honolulu, HI:
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 $81,120 for weldersin the Urban 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
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