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.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

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
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 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
1.38% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Boise
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.
Salary Calculator
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 To | Median Salary | Boise Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho Average | $53,157 | +3.70% more |
| National Average | $55,895 | -1.38% less |
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
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.
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.
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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 (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,904 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,581 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,362 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,885 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,265 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,367 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,009 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,124 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,324 | Projected |
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 (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Boise 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) | $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.
More salary data for Boise, ID:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Career Resources
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 $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).
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