Welder Salary in Central Falls, RI: $51,831 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Central Falls, RI earns a median $51,831/year (≈ $24.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Central Falls's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.5), that paycheck buys what $51,573 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.7% below the Rhode Island state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $51,831 for 2026, welders in Central Falls, RI, experience a compensation landscape that diverges from the national average of $55,895. The salary range in this market runs from $41,034 at the 10th percentile to as high as $69,780 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the differences in pay based on specialization and experience. While pipe welders, especially those holding 6G certifications, often command the highest pay, structural and production welders tend to earn less, reflecting the local job market's specific demands and employer profiles. Employers across various sectors, from manufacturing to petrochemical industries, shape this dynamic backdrop, leading to a varied income potential among welders in the area.
About the Central Falls Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,034 | $19.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,704 | $22.45 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,831 | $24.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58,825 | $28.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69,780 | $33.55 |
Median Salary Position
7.27% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Central Falls
In Central Falls, RI, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,746 (2026 est.). At $51,831, the local median is 7.27% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Central Falls: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Central Falls Welder Pay Compares
Central Falls median: $51,831/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Central Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $56,155 | -7.70% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -7.27% less |
Welders in Central Falls, RI earn a median of $51,831 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.27% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 7.70% below the Rhode Island state average of $56,155.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Central Falls has a cost of living 0.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Central Falls, RI has a cost-of-living index of 100.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $51,831 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $51,573 — a 0.5% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,401
2025 BLS Actual
$49,842
2026 Current Est.
$51,831
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Central Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,401 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,977 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,592 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,084 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,382 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,928 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,842 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,831 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,899 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Central Falls metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $39,401 (2019) to $49,842 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,899 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,498 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Central Falls 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) | $41,034 – $46,704 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,704 – $51,831 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,831 – $58,825 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $58,825 – $69,780 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Central Falls
As of now, Central Falls employs a modest number of six welders, revealing a contained but potentially stable job market. The cost of living index stands slightly above the national average at 100.5, which can influence the purchasing power of welder salaries. Notably, employers in high-demand sectors such as oil and gas pipeline welding and nuclear power plant maintenance typically offer the most competitive salaries, which stems from the stringent certification requirements and the technical nature of their projects. Factors contributing to the salary spread include investment in equipment like welding trucks, specialty certifications, and the dynamics of traveling work that may carry substantial per-diem opportunities. For welders aiming to optimize their pay in Central Falls, focusing on advanced certifications and seeking employment in industries with higher pay scales can prove beneficial, especially as the workforce struggles with skill shortages projected in the coming years.
More salary data for Central Falls, RI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $49,842 for weldersin the Central Falls 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 Central Falls 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