Welder Salary in Coeur d'Alene, ID: $53,565 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Coeur d'Alene, ID earns a median $53,565/year (≈ $25.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Coeur d'Alene's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.3), that paycheck buys what $54,495 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the Idaho state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected welder salary in Coeur d'Alene, ID, averages around $53,565 annually, which reflects a slight decrease compared to the national median of $55,895. Welders in this area, who are predominantly engaged in structural, production, and pipe welding, show a broad salary range from $43,343 to $64,723, indicative of varying skills and specialties. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlights the competitive landscape for welders, with those specializing in pipe welding often earning at the higher end of the scale, particularly due to the demanding certifications required, such as the 6G pipe qualification. The market for welders is shaped by local industrial needs, making the Coeur d'Alene job market both promising and competitive, particularly for those who can leverage specialized skills.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,343 | $20.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,990 | $23.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,565 | $25.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59,857 | $28.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64,723 | $31.11 |
Median Salary Position
4.17% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Coeur d'Alene
In Coeur d'Alene, ID, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,380 (2026 est.). At $53,565, the local median is 4.17% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Coeur d'Alene: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Coeur d'Alene Welder Pay Compares
Coeur d'Alene median: $53,565/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Coeur d'Alene Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho Average | $53,193 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $55,895 | -4.17% less |
Welders in Coeur d'Alene, ID earn a median of $53,565 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.17% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 0.70% above the Idaho state average of $53,193.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Coeur d'Alene has a cost of living 1.71% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Coeur d'Alene, ID has a cost-of-living index of 98.293 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $53,565 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $54,495 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,840
2025 BLS Actual
$51,510
2026 Current Est.
$53,565
2019–2027 Growth
+47.2%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Coeur d'Alene (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,840 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,070 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,100 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,820 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,630 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,220 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,510 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,565 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,703 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Coeur d'Alene metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 36.1% from $37,840 (2019) to $51,510 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,703 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,863 (47.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Coeur d'Alene 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) | $43,343 – $48,990 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,990 – $53,565 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,565 – $59,857 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $59,857 – $64,723 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Coeur d'Alene
A total of 230 welders are currently employed in the Coeur d'Alene area, creating a dynamic job market with opportunities for growth amidst a living cost index of 98.293, which is below the national average. This cost-of-living scenario enhances the disposable income of welders, allowing for greater purchasing power. Among local employers, those in structural steel fabrication and pipeline welding tend to offer the most lucrative positions, often supplemented by per-diem payments for traveling work. The spread between lower and higher wages can be attributed to various factors, including certification level and specialty, with certifications like NQA-1 for nuclear work yielding significant premiums. For welders in Coeur d'Alene, focusing on advanced certifications and considering mobile welding opportunities may provide the best strategies for maximizing earnings in a competitive marketplace.
More salary data for Coeur d'Alene, 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 $51,510 for weldersin the Coeur d'Alene 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