Welder Salary in Washington: $67,009 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Washington's 50 metropolitan areas, the average median welder pay sits at $67,009/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 51-4121. Because Washington sits at BEA RPP 107.4 (7% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $62,392 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Bremerton ($71,720), Bellevue ($66,889), Seattle ($66,240).
In 2026, the average median salary for welders in Washington is projected at $67,008, significantly higher than the national median of $55,895, reflecting a difference of +19.9%. The highest paying city for welders in the state is Bremerton, offering a salary of $74,582, while Wenatchee represents the lowest at $51,766. This $22,816 salary gap can be attributed to variations in demand for skilled welders, cost of living, and local economic conditions. Washington's licensing requirements and scope of practice laws impact salary potential, as employers often seek certified welders for specialized projects. The demand for welders is driven by the state's strong manufacturing sector, including aerospace and shipbuilding industries, creating numerous job opportunities. With a projected employment figure of 6,854 welders and an annual growth rate of 3.99%, the job market in this field looks promising. Top cities for employment and compensation include Bellevue at $69,558, Seattle at $68,883, Richland at $68,705, and Tacoma at $67,734, indicating a healthy demand for skilled welding professionals across various regions of the state.
Washington Welder Salary Range
Overall salary range in Washington: $41,024 (lowest entry-level) to $105,625 (highest top earner)
Washington vs National Average
Washington welders earn 19.88% more than the national median (+$11,114/year difference).
Washington Welder Salary Distribution (2026)
Welder salaries in Washington range from $51,085 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $90,862 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $67,009. The Washington median is $11,114 above the US national median of $55,895. The average hourly rate is $32.22/hr. Approximately 6,854 welders are employed across 50 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$52,943
2025 BLS Actual
$64,437
2026 Current Est.
$67,009
2019–2027 Growth
+31.6%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Washington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,943 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,861 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,818 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,995 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,561 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,458 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,437 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,009 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,682 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Washington metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 21.7% from $52,943 (2019) to $64,437 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,682 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,739 (31.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Washington 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Washington
Lowest Paying Cities in Washington
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Wenatchee | $51,766 |
| Tukwila | $57,538 |
| Mountlake Terrace | $57,626 |
| Covington | $58,436 |
| Kenmore | $58,441 |
Best Value Cities for Welders in Washington
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Washington cities offer the most purchasing power for welders.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bremerton | $74,582 | 105.607 | $70,622 |
| Kennewick | $67,302 | 100.079 | $67,249 |
| Bellevue | $69,558 | 107.4 | $64,765 |
| Bellingham | $66,262 | 103.334 | $64,124 |
| Richland | $68,705 | 107.4 | $63,971 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Washington
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $51,085 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $67,009 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $90,862 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Washington metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 50 Cities in Washington
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bremerton | $74,582 |
| 2 | Bellevue | $69,558 |
| 3 | Seattle | $68,883 |
| 4 | Richland | $68,705 |
| 5 | Tacoma | $67,734 |
| 6 | Kennewick | $67,302 |
| 7 | Bellingham | $66,262 |
| 8 | Mount Vernon | $65,306 |
| 9 | Vancouver | $64,942 |
| 10 | Renton | $63,875 |
| 11 | Everett | $63,256 |
| 12 | Spokane Valley | $62,906 |
| 13 | Marysville | $62,782 |
| 14 | Shoreline | $62,437 |
| 15 | Longview | $62,248 |
| 16 | Redmond | $62,190 |
| 17 | Kent | $62,139 |
| 18 | Kirkland | $62,037 |
| 19 | Burien | $61,958 |
| 20 | Walla Walla | $61,749 |
| 21 | Spokane | $61,718 |
| 22 | Federal Way | $61,687 |
| 23 | Des Moines | $61,673 |
| 24 | Tumwater | $61,581 |
| 25 | Auburn | $61,530 |
| 26 | Lakewood | $61,505 |
| 27 | Issaquah | $61,471 |
| 28 | Sammamish | $61,066 |
| 29 | University Place | $61,045 |
| 30 | Olympia | $61,021 |
| 31 | SeaTac | $60,996 |
| 32 | Pasco | $60,736 |
| 33 | Lacey | $60,521 |
| 34 | Edmonds | $60,364 |
| 35 | Lake Stevens | $60,205 |
| 36 | Lynnwood | $60,165 |
| 37 | Moses Lake | $60,050 |
| 38 | Bothell | $60,006 |
| 39 | Yakima | $59,742 |
| 40 | Pullman | $59,741 |
| 41 | Puyallup | $59,606 |
| 42 | Ellensburg | $59,381 |
| 43 | Maple Valley | $59,219 |
| 44 | Camas | $59,069 |
| 45 | Oak Harbor | $58,820 |
| 46 | Kenmore | $58,441 |
| 47 | Covington | $58,436 |
| 48 | Mountlake Terrace | $57,626 |
| 49 | Tukwila | $57,538 |
| 50 | Wenatchee | $51,766 |
More Washington Salary Data
Compare Cities in Washington
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do welders make in Washington in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for welders in Washington?
How does Washington welder pay compare to the national average?
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Which Washington city offers the best value for welders?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 welder compensation across Washington. State averages are employment-weighted across 50 metro areas — larger metro areas with more welderscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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