Welders Salary

Welder Salary in Boise, ID: $55,124 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Boise, ID earns a median $55,124/year (≈ $26.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Boise's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.3), that paycheck buys what $57,843 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% above the Idaho state average.

$55,124
Median Annual Salary
$26.51/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$36,899
Entry Level (P10)
$81,909
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Welder Salary in Boise, ID — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Boise, ID welder salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Boise, Idaho, the projected median salary for welders in 2026 is estimated to be $55,124, reflecting the local job market's relative stability and competitiveness. This figure reveals a wider salary range from $36,899 at the 10th percentile to $81,909 at the 90th percentile, indicating that various factors can significantly influence compensation. Estimates sourced from BLS state-level data and regional cost adjustments highlight the local economic dynamics where pipe welders, especially those with traveling assignments, often find greater financial benefits. Compared to the projected national median salary of $55,895 for welders, the Boise area offers slightly lower compensation, but local opportunities continue to attract skilled tradespeople interested in welding roles within diverse industries.

About the Boise Market

Salary estimated from Idaho average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$36,899$17.74
Lower Range (P25)$45,371$21.82
Median (P50)(typical)$55,124$26.51
Upper Range (P75)$65,672$31.57
Top Earners (P90)$81,909$39.38

Median Salary Position

$36,899$81,909
City Median: $55,124
National: $55,895
P10–P90 Range

1.38% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Boise

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for welders in Boise. The median salary is $55,124, compared to the national median of $55,895.$33.2K$46.4K$59.6K$72.8K$86.0K$36.9K10th Pctl$45.4K25th Pctl$55.1KMedian$65.7K75th Pctl$81.9K90th PctlUS Median$55.9K

In Boise, ID, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,010 (2026 est.). At $55,124, the local median is 1.38% below the national median of $55,895.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of welder pay in the Boise metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,060
per week
$4,595
per month
$55,135
per year

At 40 hours/week in Boise: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Boise Welder Pay Compares

Boise median: $55,124/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryBoise Pays
Idaho Average$53,157+3.70% more
National Average$55,895-1.38% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing welder median salary in Boise ($55,124) with Idaho average ($53,157) and the US national median ($55,895).Boise$55,124Idaho Avg$53,157+3.70%US National$55,895-1.38%

Welders in Boise, ID earn a median of $55,124 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.38% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 3.70% above the Idaho state average of $53,157.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$55,124
Nominal Salary
95.3
CoL Index
$57,843
Adjusted Salary

Boise has a cost of living 4.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $55,124. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 95.3, the purchasing-power equivalent is $57,843, a gain of $2,719.$46.9K$51.8K$56.7K$61.6K$66.5K$55,124NominalSalary$57,843CoL Adjusted(CoL: 95.3) 4.93%US Median $55.9K

Boise, ID has a cost-of-living index of 95.3 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $55,124 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $57,843 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.93% boost.

Compare Purchasing Power

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2019 BLS Actual

$41,904

2025 BLS Actual

$53,009

2026 Current Est.

$55,124

2019–2027 Growth

+36.8%

Salary Trajectory for Welders in Boise (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for welders in Boise. Baseline $41,904 in 2025, projected to $57,324 by 2027.$38.8K$44.2K$49.6K$55.0K$60.4K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$41.9K$43.6K$46.4K$46.9K$48.3K$51.4K$53.0K$55.1K$57.3K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$41,904Actual
2020$43,581Actual
2021$46,362Actual
2022$46,885Actual
2023$48,265Actual
2024$51,367Actual
2025$53,009Actual
2026(current)$55,124Estimated
2027$57,324Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Boise metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $41,904 (2019) to $53,009 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,324 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,420 (36.80%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Boise metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$36,899$45,371
3-5 years (Mid Career)$45,371$55,124
5+ years (Experienced)$55,124$65,672
10+ years (Top Earner)$65,672$81,909

WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

Welder Job Market in Boise

The job market for welders in Boise currently employs about 60 professionals, a number that showcases a steady demand in this local economy. Considering the cost-of-living index of 95.3, which is below the national average, welders in Boise enjoy a more favorable purchasing power with their take-home income. Top-paying employers in the region often emerge from the oil and gas sector, specifically cross-country pipeline welding and petrochemical turnaround crews. The disparity in pay can be attributed to various factors, including certification levels—those with specialized skills, like 6G pipe certification or expertise in high-pressure environments, command higher rates. Strategies for maximizing pay include pursuing additional certifications, exploring traveling welder positions that typically leverage per-diem benefits, and considering self-employment in niches that require specialized skills, leading to potentially higher earnings.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do welders make in Boise, ID in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median welder salary in Boise is $55,124/year ($26.51/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 3.99% annual growth). Salaries range from $36,899 at entry level (10th percentile) to $81,909 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Boise at 1.4% below the national median. Full-time welders typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Boise, ID a good place to work as a welder?

Boise welder salaries are 1.4% below the national average and 3.7% above the Idaho state average. The metro area employs approximately 60 welders. With a cost-of-living index of 95.3, your salary stretches further here than in higher-cost metros. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can welders make $100K in Boise?

The median welder salary in Boise is $55,124, and the 90th percentile earns $81,909. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted welder salary in Boise?

After adjusting for Boise's cost-of-living index of 95.3 (where 100 equals the national average), the $55,124 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $57,843 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 4.9% further in Boise compared to the national average, making it an attractive location for welders seeking strong real wages.

How much does a welder make per hour in Boise?

Welders in Boise earn a median hourly rate of $26.51, which translates to approximately $55,124/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $17.74 for entry-level positions to $39.38 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem welders sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Idaho

JM

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.

Clinically reviewed by Priya Singh, CWIData verified by Liam O'Connor, Welding Instructor

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 $53,009 for weldersin the Boise 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 Boise is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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