Welder Salary in Staunton, VA: $67,042 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Staunton, VA earns a median $67,042/year (≈ $32.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Staunton's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.1), that paycheck buys what $73,569 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.3% above the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Welders in Staunton, Virginia, earn a competitive median salary of $67,042, notably outpacing the national average by nearly 20%. The projected salary range runs from $46,650 at the lower end to $88,766 for those in the highest bracket. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS statistics, indicates that the local market provides favorable conditions for welders, with specialization impacting compensation significantly. The city has a substantial demand for skilled welders, particularly in areas like structural steel fabrication and pipeline welding, where expertise can drive earnings to the upper tiers of this salary scale.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,650 | $22.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,881 | $27.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,042 | $32.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,822 | $32.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88,766 | $42.68 |
Median Salary Position
19.94% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Staunton
In Staunton, VA, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,116 (2026 est.). At $67,042, the local median is 19.94% above the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Staunton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Staunton Welder Pay Compares
Staunton median: $67,042/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Staunton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $59,699 | +12.30% more |
| National Average | $55,895 | +19.94% more |
Welders in Staunton, VA earn a median of $67,042 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.94% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 12.30% above the Virginia state average of $59,699.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Staunton has a cost of living 8.87% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Staunton, VA has a cost-of-living index of 91.128 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $67,042 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,569 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,120
2025 BLS Actual
$64,470
2026 Current Est.
$67,042
2019–2027 Growth
+26.5%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Staunton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,120 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,270 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,600 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,260 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,210 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,440 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,470 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,042 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,717 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Staunton metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 17.0% from $55,120 (2019) to $64,470 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,717 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,597 (26.48%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Staunton 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) | $46,650 – $57,881 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,881 – $67,042 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,042 – $67,822 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,822 – $88,766 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Staunton
Looking at the broader employment landscape, Staunton houses approximately 390 welders, a robust workforce reflecting the regional economy's reliance on welding and fabrication trades. The cost-of-living index currently sits at 91.128, suggesting that welders’ take-home pay goes further in Staunton than in many areas, enhancing purchasing power. High-paying opportunities are often tied to specific sectors such as oil and gas pipeline welding or petrochemical refinery work, where certifications like the 6G pipe and ASME IX are crucial. The variance in pay levels often hinges on the nature of the work, with mobile and traveling welders commanding higher wages, sometimes augmented by per-diem benefits. To optimize earnings, welders should seek additional certifications, focus on specialty niches, and consider traveling roles to maximize pay potential in this vibrant market.
More salary data for Staunton, VA:
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 $64,470 for weldersin the Staunton 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