Welder Salary in San Antonio, TX: $50,144 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in San Antonio, TX earns a median $50,144/year (≈ $24.10/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in San Antonio's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 94.7), that paycheck buys what $52,941 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Welder salaries in San Antonio, Texas, reflect a diverse range of compensation that caters to various skill levels and work environments. The projected median annual salary for 2026 is $50,144, which is approximately 10.29% lower than the national median of $55,895 for the same year. Welders can expect to earn between $39,755 at the lower end of the spectrum (P10) and $76,745 at the higher end (P90). These figures are derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data, capturing a focal point in local compensation trends. For those considering a position in San Antonio’s welding industry, understanding the local economic dynamics is vital, especially the potential earnings from traveling positions that often include per diem and tax-advantaged structures when compared to local shop pay.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,755 | $19.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,806 | $22.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,144 | $24.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,361 | $30.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,745 | $36.90 |
Median Salary Position
10.29% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Antonio
In San Antonio, TX, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,990 (2026 est.). At $50,144, the local median is 10.29% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Antonio: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Antonio Welder Pay Compares
San Antonio median: $50,144/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Antonio Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $50,497 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -10.29% less |
Welders in San Antonio, TX earn a median of $50,144 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.29% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 0.70% below the Texas state average of $50,497.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Antonio has a cost of living 5.28% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Antonio, TX has a cost-of-living index of 94.716 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $50,144 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,941 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.58% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,620
2025 BLS Actual
$48,220
2026 Current Est.
$50,144
2019–2027 Growth
+25.3%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in San Antonio (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,620 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,750 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,120 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,270 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,210 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,340 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,220 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,144 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,145 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Antonio metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 15.9% from $41,620 (2019) to $48,220 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,145 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,525 (25.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Antonio 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) | $39,755 – $46,806 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,806 – $50,144 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,144 – $63,361 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,361 – $76,745 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in San Antonio
Looking at the job market in San Antonio, there are currently around 2,510 welders employed in the area, showcasing a healthy demand for skilled labor. The cost of living index at 94.716 indicates a lower-than-average cost of living compared to the national standard, which can positively impact actual take-home pay. Among the highest-paying employers in the region are those involved in structural steel fabrication, oil and gas pipeline welding, and aerospace and defense sectors. Earnings in San Antonio can experience vast disparities based on certification levels, specialized disciplines, and work types—certifications like the 6G pipe weld can lead to significantly higher pay, especially in traveling positions. Furthermore, those who own their welding trucks can enter the rig welder market and potentially drive their earnings above the average. To maximize pay, welders should focus on acquiring sought-after certifications while also considering the booming oil and gas sectors in both traveling and local capacities.
More salary data for San Antonio, TX:
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 $48,220 for weldersin the San Antonio 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