Welder Salary in Ponce, PR: $32,944 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Ponce, PR earns a median $32,944/year (≈ $15.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Puerto Rico's price level (25% below national, BEA RPP 75.0), that paycheck buys what $43,925 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.8% above the Puerto Rico state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a 2026 median annual salary of $32,944, welders in Ponce, PR, experience compensation significantly lower than the national average of $55,895. The 2026 salary range spans from $28,524 at the lower end to $42,282 at the upper end. These figures—derived from official BLS OEWS surveys—reflect a local market where traveling pipe welders can often command higher pay due to tax-advantaged structures and per-diem allowances. In contrast, local shop positions typically offer more modest salaries, underscoring the dynamic differences in welder pay Ponce PR and the factors affecting the local economy.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28,524 | $13.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30,968 | $14.89 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $32,944 | $15.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36,771 | $17.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42,282 | $20.33 |
Median Salary Position
41.06% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ponce
In Ponce, PR, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $13,758 (2026 est.). At $32,944, the local median is 41.06% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ponce: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ponce Welder Pay Compares
Ponce median: $32,944/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ponce Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Puerto Rico Average | $31,435 | +4.80% more |
| National Average | $55,895 | -41.06% less |
Welders in Ponce, PR earn a median of $32,944 per year (2026 est.), which is 41.06% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 4.80% above the Puerto Rico state average of $31,435.
2019 BLS Actual
$19,430
2025 BLS Actual
$31,680
2026 Current Est.
$32,944
2019–2027 Growth
+76.3%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Ponce (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19,430 | Actual |
| 2020 | $20,570 | Actual |
| 2021 | $23,160 | Actual |
| 2022 | $28,030 | Actual |
| 2023 | $28,250 | Actual |
| 2024 | $29,120 | Actual |
| 2025 | $31,680 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32,944 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34,258 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ponce metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 63.0% from $19,430 (2019) to $31,680 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $34,258 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,828 (76.31%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ponce 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) | $28,524 – $30,968 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $30,968 – $32,944 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $32,944 – $36,771 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $36,771 – $42,282 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Ponce
Employment opportunities are present for approximately 100 welders in Ponce, creating a diverse job market dependent on both certification levels and specialization. With welding costs generally lower in Ponce compared to mainland salaries, local living expenses can further impact real earnings. Employers in the area include structural steel fabrication shops and oil and gas pipeline welding, with the best compensation often reserved for those with advanced certifications or specialized skills like 6G pipe welding. The disparity between lower and higher earnings reflects not only certification levels and pipeline cycles but also the prevalence of local versus traveling positions. Welders seeking to maximize their pay should consider acquiring additional certifications or pursuing opportunities in high-demand sectors, which can significantly improve earning potential in the Ponce market.
More salary data for Ponce, PR:
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 $31,680 for weldersin the Ponce 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