Welder Salary in Pasadena, TX: $59,464 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Pasadena, TX earns a median $59,464/year (≈ $28.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Pasadena's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $61,942 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 17.7% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, earning a welder salary in Pasadena, TX, averages around $59,464 annually, outpacing the national median by 6.39%. The salary range for welders in the area spans from $43,885 at the lower end to as high as $87,365 for the top earners. Local estimates are derived from BLS state-level data and reflect regional price adjustments. Welders considering paths toward rig ownership may initially face significant equipment investment, often ranging between $80,000 and $150,000 for a welding truck. However, the potential for higher hourly rates and compensation packages provides considerable incentive, making Pasadena a competitive environment for those in the welding sector.
About the Pasadena Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,885 | $21.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,816 | $24.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,464 | $28.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,779 | $34.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87,365 | $42.00 |
Median Salary Position
6.39% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pasadena
In Pasadena, TX, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,480 (2026 est.). At $59,464, the local median is 6.39% above the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pasadena: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pasadena Welder Pay Compares
Pasadena median: $59,464/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pasadena Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $50,521 | +17.70% more |
| National Average | $55,895 | +6.39% more |
Welders in Pasadena, TX earn a median of $59,464 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.39% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 17.70% above the Texas state average of $50,521.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pasadena has a cost of living 4.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pasadena, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $59,464 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,942 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,203
2025 BLS Actual
$57,182
2026 Current Est.
$59,464
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Pasadena (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,203 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,012 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,012 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,575 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,065 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,674 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,182 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,464 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,836 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pasadena metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $45,203 (2019) to $57,182 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,836 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,633 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pasadena 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) | $43,885 – $51,816 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,816 – $59,464 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,464 – $70,779 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,779 – $87,365 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Pasadena
The local job market features approximately 32 employed welders, indicative of niche demand influenced by Pasadena's proximity to industrial sectors such as oil and gas, petrochemicals, and manufacturing. With a cost-of-living index at 96, welders' take-home power in Pasadena can stretch further than in many other regions. Employers like structural steel fabrication shops and oil pipeline companies typically offer the most lucrative positions. The disparity in earnings can often be traced back to the type of welding performed, with specialties such as 6G pipe welding and NQA-1 nuclear certifications commanding higher pay rates, alongside traveling work that offers additional per-diem benefits. For welders seeking to maximize pay, pursuing advanced certifications and strategic positioning within high-demand sectors are practical approaches in this evolving market.
More salary data for Pasadena, TX:
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 $57,182 for weldersin the Pasadena 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 Pasadena 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