Welder Salary in Kingston, NY: $59,898 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Kingston, NY earns a median $59,898/year (≈ $28.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Kingston's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.7), that paycheck buys what $59,476 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% above the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The welder salary in Kingston, NY reflects a competitive market, particularly for traveling pipe welders who benefit from unique pay structures, such as per-diem allowances that enhance their earnings beyond local shop wages. In 2026, the median annual salary for welders in this area is projected at $59,898, which is approximately 7.16% higher than the national median of $55,895. The salary range for welders here varies significantly, starting at $41,627 (P10) and reaching up to $79,272 (P90), illustrating the diverse opportunities available in the local market. Derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, this information signals a robust local economy for welding professionals, with various sectors employing skilled welders, thereby supporting competitive compensation structures in Kingston.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,627 | $20.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,466 | $24.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,898 | $28.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,952 | $31.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,272 | $38.11 |
Median Salary Position
7.16% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kingston
In Kingston, NY, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,645 (2026 est.). At $59,898, the local median is 7.16% above the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kingston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kingston Welder Pay Compares
Kingston median: $59,898/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kingston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $58,666 | +2.10% more |
| National Average | $55,895 | +7.16% more |
Welders in Kingston, NY earn a median of $59,898 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.16% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 2.10% above the New York state average of $58,666.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kingston has a cost of living 0.71% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kingston, NY has a cost-of-living index of 100.709 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $59,898 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $59,476 — a 0.7% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,240
2025 BLS Actual
$57,600
2026 Current Est.
$59,898
2019–2027 Growth
+47.5%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Kingston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,240 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,650 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,840 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,770 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,400 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,990 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,600 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,898 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,288 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kingston metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 36.4% from $42,240 (2019) to $57,600 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,288 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,048 (47.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kingston 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) | $41,627 – $50,466 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,466 – $59,898 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,898 – $64,952 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,952 – $79,272 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Kingston
In Kingston, 120 welders are currently employed, showcasing a healthy demand for welding talent in the region. The cost of living index of 100.709 indicates that residents face slightly higher living expenses than the national average, impacting take-home purchasing power. Industries such as structural steel fabrication, oil and gas pipeline welding, and nuclear power plant maintenance offer the most lucrative positions, often paying premium rates for specialized certifications. Variables such as certification levels, specialized skill sets, and type of employment (traveling versus local work) create variability in wages. For welders looking to maximize their earnings in Kingston, pursuing advanced certifications like the 6G pipe or ASME IX can be a decisive factor, especially when combined with opportunities for per-diem work, which adds significant financial benefits.
More salary data for Kingston, NY:
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 $57,600 for weldersin the Kingston 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