Welder Salary in New York: $61,828 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across New York's 39 metropolitan areas, the average median welder pay sits at $61,828/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 51-4121. Because New York sits at BEA RPP 115.9 (16% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $53,346 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: New York ($61,680), Troy ($60,566), Albany ($59,390).
In 2026, the average median salary for welders in New York is projected to be $61,828, which is significantly higher than the national median of $55,895, representing a difference of 10.6%. New York City offers the highest pay at $64,141, while Elmira has the lowest at $50,768, illustrating a salary gap of $13,373. This difference can often be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for skilled labor, and the concentration of industries requiring welding services. In New York, welders are required to meet specific state licensing requirements, and the scope of practice laws can vary by municipality. These regulations can impact employment opportunities and potential earnings. The total employment for welders in the state is projected at 9,524, with a promising growth rate of 3.99% through 2026, informed by continued demand in construction and manufacturing sectors. Major cities projected for higher earnings include Troy at $62,983, Albany at $61,760, Poughkeepsie at $61,728, and Glens Falls at $61,500. Overall, the job market for welders in New York appears strong, driven by both state-specific and regional economic conditions.
New York Welder Salary Range
Overall salary range in New York: $38,175 (lowest entry-level) to $99,747 (highest top earner)
New York vs National Average
New York welders earn 10.61% more than the national median (+$5,933/year difference).
New York Welder Salary Distribution (2026)
Welder salaries in New York range from $45,579 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $91,013 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $61,828. The New York median is $5,933 above the US national median of $55,895. The average hourly rate is $29.73/hr. Approximately 9,524 welders are employed across 39 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$45,605
2025 BLS Actual
$59,456
2026 Current Est.
$61,828
2019–2027 Growth
+41.0%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in New York (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,605 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,592 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,010 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,921 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,006 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,324 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,456 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,828 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,295 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New York metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 30.4% from $45,605 (2019) to $59,456 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,295 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,690 (40.98%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New York 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in New York
Lowest Paying Cities in New York
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Elmira | $50,768 |
| Rome | $51,084 |
| Utica | $51,610 |
| Binghamton | $52,577 |
| Cortland | $54,000 |
Best Value Cities for Welders in New York
When adjusted for local cost of living, these New York cities offer the most purchasing power for welders.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glens Falls | $61,500 | 94.866 | $64,828 |
| Albany | $61,760 | 99.566 | $62,029 |
| Rochester | $59,409 | 97.035 | $61,224 |
| Syracuse | $57,881 | 95.742 | $60,455 |
| Buffalo | $57,631 | 95.844 | $60,130 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in New York
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $45,579 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $61,828 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $91,013 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across New York metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 39 Cities in New York
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $64,141 |
| 2 | Troy | $62,983 |
| 3 | Albany | $61,760 |
| 4 | Poughkeepsie | $61,728 |
| 5 | Glens Falls | $61,500 |
| 6 | Kiryas Joel | $60,793 |
| 7 | Schenectady | $60,418 |
| 8 | Yonkers | $60,156 |
| 9 | Kingston | $59,898 |
| 10 | Newburgh | $59,472 |
| 11 | Rochester | $59,409 |
| 12 | New Rochelle | $58,916 |
| 13 | Mount Vernon | $58,256 |
| 14 | Watertown | $58,157 |
| 15 | Syracuse | $57,881 |
| 16 | Long Beach | $57,807 |
| 17 | Niagara Falls | $57,776 |
| 18 | Buffalo | $57,631 |
| 19 | Spring Valley | $57,157 |
| 20 | White Plains | $57,081 |
| 21 | Jamestown | $57,010 |
| 22 | Valley Stream | $56,920 |
| 23 | Middletown | $56,683 |
| 24 | Hempstead | $56,622 |
| 25 | Saratoga Springs | $56,342 |
| 26 | Ithaca | $56,331 |
| 27 | North Tonawanda | $56,010 |
| 28 | Auburn | $55,737 |
| 29 | Freeport | $55,577 |
| 30 | Oswego | $55,000 |
| 31 | Lackawanna | $54,886 |
| 32 | Amsterdam | $54,860 |
| 33 | Oneonta | $54,727 |
| 34 | Plattsburgh | $54,163 |
| 35 | Cortland | $54,000 |
| 36 | Binghamton | $52,577 |
| 37 | Utica | $51,610 |
| 38 | Rome | $51,084 |
| 39 | Elmira | $50,768 |
More New York Salary Data
Compare Cities in New York
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do welders make in New York in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for welders in New York?
How does New York welder pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level welder salary in New York?
How many welders are employed in New York?
Which New York city offers the best value for welders?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 welder compensation across New York. State averages are employment-weighted across 39 metro areas — larger metro areas with more welderscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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