Welder Salary in Bellevue, WA: $69,558 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Bellevue, WA earns a median $69,558/year (≈ $33.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Bellevue's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $64,765 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.7% above the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Welders in Bellevue, WA can expect a median annual salary of $69,558 in 2026, which represents a significant increase compared to national levels. The local salary range is projected to span from $48,095 at the 10th percentile to as much as $105,625 for welders in the 90th percentile. These estimates come from BLS state-level data and consider the regional cost of living. Interestingly, local shop pay for welders may compete with traveling pipe welders, who often benefit from tax-advantaged structures and per-diem allowances, making it an attractive option for skilled professionals. Bellevue's job market for welders reflects a growing demand for certified talent across various sectors, enhancing the potential for increased earnings.
About the Bellevue Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,095 | $23.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,371 | $28.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,558 | $33.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,938 | $39.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105,625 | $50.78 |
Median Salary Position
24.44% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bellevue
In Bellevue, WA, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,530 (2026 est.). At $69,558, the local median is 24.44% above the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bellevue: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bellevue Welder Pay Compares
Bellevue median: $69,558/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bellevue Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $62,272 | +11.70% more |
| National Average | $55,895 | +24.44% more |
Welders in Bellevue, WA earn a median of $69,558 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.44% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 11.70% above the Washington state average of $62,272.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bellevue has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bellevue, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $69,558 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $64,765 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,877
2025 BLS Actual
$66,889
2026 Current Est.
$69,558
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Bellevue (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,877 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,992 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,501 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,161 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,903 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,913 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,889 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,558 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,333 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bellevue metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $52,877 (2019) to $66,889 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,333 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,456 (36.79%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bellevue 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) | $48,095 – $58,371 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,371 – $69,558 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,558 – $81,938 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,938 – $105,625 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Bellevue
Strikingly, only 26 welders are currently employed in Bellevue, highlighting a niche labor market in this region. The cost of living index in Bellevue stands at 107.4, indicating that while wages may be higher, so are living expenses, which impacts take-home purchasing power. Among the highest-paying employers in Bellevue are structural steel fabrication shops and specialty fields such as aerospace and defense, where welders with advanced certifications, like the 6G pipe certification, can command top dollar. The diversity of industries—from oil and gas pipeline work to manufacturing—also creates pay variance influenced by specialty skills and types of employment, such as traveling versus local work. Welders aiming to maximize their pay in Bellevue should consider pursuing niche certifications, engaging with local unions, or seeking opportunities with high-demand employers in specialty sectors.
More salary data for Bellevue, WA:
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 $66,889 for weldersin the Bellevue 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 Bellevue 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