Welder Salary in Union City, NJ: $63,505 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Union City, NJ earns a median $63,505/year (≈ $30.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Union City's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $55,126 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a median annual salary of $63,505 projected for 2026, welders in Union City, NJ, can expect to earn competitive wages compared to their counterparts nationwide. The salary ranges from $48,747 for the lowest ten percent to $92,814 for the top ten percent, reflecting a diverse market where specialty skills can significantly enhance earnings. Data estimates derived from 2025 BLS metrics indicate that local welding positions are likely to pay about 13.61% more than the national median salary of $55,895. This region tends to favor pipe welders who command premium wages due to their specialized training, particularly in 6G TIG certifications. The growth potential for this occupation stands at an annual rate of 3.99%, suggesting a healthy demand for welders in Union City within the coming years.
About the Union City Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,747 | $23.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,596 | $27.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,505 | $30.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,454 | $36.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,814 | $44.62 |
Median Salary Position
13.61% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Union City
In Union City, NJ, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,067 (2026 est.). At $63,505, the local median is 13.61% above the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Union City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Union City Welder Pay Compares
Union City median: $63,505/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Union City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $64,406 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | +13.61% more |
Welders in Union City, NJ earn a median of $63,505 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.61% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 1.40% below the New Jersey state average of $64,406.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Union City has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Union City, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $63,505 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $55,126 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,275
2025 BLS Actual
$61,068
2026 Current Est.
$63,505
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Union City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,275 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,206 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,410 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,013 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,603 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,169 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,068 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,505 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,038 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Union City metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $48,275 (2019) to $61,068 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,038 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,763 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Union 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) | $48,747 – $56,596 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,596 – $63,505 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,505 – $75,454 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,454 – $92,814 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Union City
Despite only 17 welders currently employed in the area, the local economy presents unique opportunities that influence the welder salary in Union City. The cost of living index sits above the national average at 115.2, which means that while salaries may appear robust, take-home earnings may not stretch as far. Among the various employers in the vicinity, structural steel fabrication shops and petrochemical turnaround crews often provide the most substantial compensation packages. The salary discrepancy can be attributed to factors such as certification levels, specialty niches, and whether welders are working locally or traveling. Additionally, owning a rig can lead to increased income, but it requires a significant upfront investment ranging from $80,000 to $150,000. For welders looking to maximize their pay in this environment, obtaining advanced certifications and seeking travel work can be a solid strategy, as those willing to take on demanding projects generally see the best returns.
More salary data for Union City, NJ:
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 $61,068 for weldersin the Union 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
Salary data for Union City 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