Welder Salary in Lakewood, NJ: $63,887 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Lakewood, NJ earns a median $63,887/year (≈ $30.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Lakewood's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $55,457 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Welders in Lakewood, NJ, can expect a median annual salary of $63,887, translating to an hourly median of $30.72. The local compensation reflects a wide range, with entry-level positions earning around $46,693 and experienced welders potentially seeing figures as high as $95,814. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, suggest a stronger market for welding professionals in Lakewood, especially when compared to the national median salary of $55,895. The investment in equipment for rig welding, along with the associated hourly rate tradeoff, plays a significant part in determining overall income levels. With the ongoing growth in the field projected at 3.99% annually, those considering a career in this city may find numerous opportunities to advance their welder pay in Lakewood, NJ.
About the Lakewood Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,693 | $22.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,325 | $26.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,887 | $30.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,005 | $37.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,814 | $46.07 |
Median Salary Position
14.30% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lakewood
In Lakewood, NJ, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,121 (2026 est.). At $63,887, the local median is 14.3% above the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lakewood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lakewood Welder Pay Compares
Lakewood median: $63,887/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lakewood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $64,403 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | +14.30% more |
Welders in Lakewood, NJ earn a median of $63,887 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.30% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 0.80% below the New Jersey state average of $64,403.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lakewood has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lakewood, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $63,887 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $55,457 — a 13.2% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$48,566
2025 BLS Actual
$61,436
2026 Current Est.
$63,887
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Lakewood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,566 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,509 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,732 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,338 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,938 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,580 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,436 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,887 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,436 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lakewood metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $48,566 (2019) to $61,436 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,436 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,870 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lakewood 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) | $46,693 – $55,325 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,325 – $63,887 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,887 – $77,005 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,005 – $95,814 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Lakewood
The local job market employs about 31 welders, indicating a specialized yet potentially competitive environment. The cost of living in Lakewood, marked by a higher index of 115.2, means that while salaries may be above the national average, the actual purchasing power may vary greatly. Top-paying employers often operate in sectors like structural steel fabrication, oil and gas pipeline projects, and aerospace, with specialties such as TIG welding for aluminum garnering premium rates. Factors influencing the disparity in pay include certification levels, with 6G and ASME IX credentials leading to significantly higher earnings. Furthermore, welders with rig ownership can find their potential earnings substantially increased, albeit with the necessity of substantial upfront investment in equipment. To maximize compensation, welders in Lakewood should consider diversifying their skill sets and pursuing jobs that require advanced certifications, traveling work opportunities, or unionized positions, which generally offer higher pay structures.
More salary data for Lakewood, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do welders make in Lakewood, NJ in 2026?
Is Lakewood, NJ a good place to work as a welder?
Can welders make $100K in Lakewood?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted welder salary in Lakewood?
How much does a welder make per hour in Lakewood?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New Jersey
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 $61,436 for weldersin the Lakewood 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 Lakewood 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