Welder Salary in Utica, NY: $51,610 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Utica, NY earns a median $51,610/year (≈ $24.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Utica's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $55,687 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.0% below the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Across the welding profession in Utica, NY, the anticipated 2026 median annual salary stands at $51,610. This figure reflects a salary range from $38,175 for the lowest 10% to a commendable $75,736 for the top 10%. The data, sourced from official BLS OEWS surveys and projected to 2026, highlights a notable gap between local shop pay and the potential earnings for traveling welders. These traveling positions often come with additional perks such as per-diem benefits and tax-advantaged structures, allowing pipes welders, particularly those with 6G certifications, to earn significantly higher by working in remote or specialized locations. In this market, the local welding opportunities cater to various industries, maintaining a steady job demand amid competitive compensation structures.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,175 | $18.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,719 | $23.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,610 | $24.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60,845 | $29.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,736 | $36.41 |
Median Salary Position
7.67% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Utica
In Utica, NY, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,561 (2026 est.). At $51,610, the local median is 7.67% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Utica: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Utica Welder Pay Compares
Utica median: $51,610/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Utica Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $58,648 | -12.00% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -7.67% less |
Welders in Utica, NY earn a median of $51,610 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.67% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 12.00% below the New York state average of $58,648.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Utica has a cost of living 7.32% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Utica, NY has a cost-of-living index of 92.678 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $51,610 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $55,687 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.9% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,860
2025 BLS Actual
$49,630
2026 Current Est.
$51,610
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Utica (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,860 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,090 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,510 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,040 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,200 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,150 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,630 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,610 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,669 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Utica metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 18.6% from $41,860 (2019) to $49,630 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,669 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,809 (28.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Utica 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) | $38,175 – $48,719 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,719 – $51,610 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,610 – $60,845 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $60,845 – $75,736 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Utica
With around 230 welders currently employed in the Utica area, the job market shows signs of resilience. The cost of living index at 92.678 indicates a lower-than-average living expense, which could enhance take-home pay for welders. Employers in structural steel fabrication and sectors such as oil and gas pipeline welding tend to offer the most competitive salaries within the local market. The salary variation can largely be attributed to factors such as certification levels—where 6G pipe welders typically earn more than those focusing on structural welding—and the type of work, from production welding to specialty projects like underwater or nuclear welding. For welders aspiring to maximize their earnings, pursuing advanced certifications and considering traveling positions can be profitable strategies in this evolving market landscape.
More salary data for Utica, 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 $49,630 for weldersin the Utica 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