Welder Salary in Carson City, NV: $63,975 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Carson City, NV earns a median $63,975/year (≈ $30.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Carson City's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.1), that paycheck buys what $65,194 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 16.4% above the Nevada state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the welder salary in Carson City, NV, is projected to reach a median of $63,975, reflecting an advantageous position compared to the national average of $55,895. This indicates a nearly 14.46% premium for local welders, illustrating how regional factors can influence compensation significantly. The annual salary for welders in Carson City will span from $48,875 at the entry-level (P10) to $81,060 for the top earners (P90). This data, rooted in 2025 BLS OEWS statistics, highlights the potential for welders to capitalize on ownership pathways like rig welding, which requires considerable upfront investments, yet provides lucrative returns through higher hourly rates. The strong demand for specialized welding skills—especially NQA-1 and 6G certifications—supports this positive salary trend within the local job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,875 | $23.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,493 | $28.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,975 | $30.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,276 | $33.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,060 | $38.98 |
Median Salary Position
14.46% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Carson City
In Carson City, NV, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,185 (2026 est.). At $63,975, the local median is 14.46% above the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Carson City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Carson City Welder Pay Compares
Carson City median: $63,975/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Carson City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada Average | $54,961 | +16.40% more |
| National Average | $55,895 | +14.46% more |
Welders in Carson City, NV earn a median of $63,975 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.46% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 16.40% above the Nevada state average of $54,961.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Carson City has a cost of living 1.87% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Carson City, NV has a cost-of-living index of 98.13 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $63,975 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,194 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.91% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,250
2025 BLS Actual
$61,520
2026 Current Est.
$63,975
2019–2027 Growth
+50.3%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Carson City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,250 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,290 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,730 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,510 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,580 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,070 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,520 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,975 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,527 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Carson City metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 39.0% from $44,250 (2019) to $61,520 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,527 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,277 (50.34%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Carson City 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) | $48,875 – $59,493 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,493 – $63,975 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,975 – $70,276 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,276 – $81,060 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Carson City
The local job market for welders is relatively robust, with about 60 professionals currently employed in Carson City. Despite a cost-of-living index at 98.13, which is slightly below the national average, the purchasing power remains decent for welders. Employers in the area that offer the highest pay typically include those focused on oil and gas pipeline projects, structural steel fabrication shops, and aerospace sectors. The significant pay disparity in Carson City is influenced by various factors such as certification levels (with 6G pipe and ASME IX certifications being highly sought after), specialty areas like underwater or nuclear welding, and the rig welding aspect where owning a mobile rig becomes advantageous. Welders looking to maximize their income in this city should consider obtaining certifications, pursuing travel jobs with per-diem rates, and specializing in high-demand fields to stay competitive.
More salary data for Carson City, NV:
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 $61,520 for weldersin the Carson City 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