Welder Salary in Caldwell, ID: $53,599 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Caldwell, ID earns a median $53,599/year (≈ $25.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Caldwell's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.3), that paycheck buys what $56,242 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% above the Idaho state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Caldwell, Idaho, the welder market presents a median annual salary of $53,599, slightly below the national average of $55,895. The full salary range for welders in the area spans from $37,164 at the 10th percentile to $75,318 at the 90th percentile. Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data indicate that pipe welders, especially those with 6G certifications, tend to dominate the higher end of this pay scale, highlighting the specialized skills that command premium salaries. Structural welders, while essential, generally see lower earnings compared to their pipeline welding counterparts, shaping the wage dynamics within Caldwell’s job market.
About the Caldwell Market
Salary estimated from Idaho average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,164 | $17.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,999 | $23.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,599 | $25.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,873 | $29.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,318 | $36.21 |
Median Salary Position
4.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Caldwell
In Caldwell, ID, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,154 (2026 est.). At $53,599, the local median is 4.11% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Caldwell: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Caldwell Welder Pay Compares
Caldwell median: $53,599/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Caldwell Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho Average | $53,173 | +0.80% more |
| National Average | $55,895 | -4.11% less |
Welders in Caldwell, ID earn a median of $53,599 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.11% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 0.80% above the Idaho state average of $53,173.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Caldwell 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.
Caldwell, ID has a cost-of-living index of 95.3 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $53,599 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $56,242 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,745
2025 BLS Actual
$51,542
2026 Current Est.
$53,599
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Caldwell (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,745 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,375 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,079 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,587 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,930 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,945 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,542 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,599 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,737 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Caldwell metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $40,745 (2019) to $51,542 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,737 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,992 (36.79%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Caldwell 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) | $37,164 – $47,999 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,999 – $53,599 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,599 – $61,873 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,873 – $75,318 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Caldwell
Despite having only eight welders employed in the area, Caldwell's salary framework offers opportunities that are advantageously positioned against the cost of living index of 95.3, indicating that local purchasing power may be more favorable than it appears. Employers such as those in oil and gas pipeline welding or petrochemical turnaround crews typically offer the highest compensation packages, while structural fabrication shops remain competitive but pay less. The variation in salaries can also reflect individual qualifications—welders who hold advanced credentials like the NQA-1 for nuclear work or those who have invested in their own welding rigs can achieve significantly higher earnings. For those in Caldwell looking to maximize their income, strategically pursuing specialized certifications and considering roles that include travel could considerably enhance potential earnings, given the market's current supply and demand trends.
More salary data for Caldwell, ID:
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 $51,542 for weldersin the Caldwell 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 Caldwell 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