Welder Salary in Kent, WA: $62,139 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Kent, WA earns a median $62,139/year (≈ $29.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Kent's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $57,858 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Kent, Washington, offers a competitive landscape for welders, with a projected median annual salary of $62,139 in 2026. This figure represents a significant 11.17% increase over the national median for welders, which is $55,895. The salary range for welders in this region varies considerably, starting at $46,000 for entry-level positions and reaching up to $93,954 for highly experienced welders, highlighting the diversity of opportunities available. Estimates of these wages are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions, reflecting Kent's unique job market dynamics. Within this city, pipe welders tend to earn the highest, driven by demand in industries like energy and construction, where specialized skills yield greater compensation.
About the Kent Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,000 | $22.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,254 | $26.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,139 | $29.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,350 | $36.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,954 | $45.17 |
Median Salary Position
11.17% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kent
In Kent, WA, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,954 (2026 est.). At $62,139, the local median is 11.17% above the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kent: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kent Welder Pay Compares
Kent median: $62,139/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kent Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $62,264 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | +11.17% more |
Welders in Kent, WA earn a median of $62,139 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.17% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 0.20% below the Washington state average of $62,264.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kent has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kent, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $62,139 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $57,858 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,237
2025 BLS Actual
$59,755
2026 Current Est.
$62,139
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Kent (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,237 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,127 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,262 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,851 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,408 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,471 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,755 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,139 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,619 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kent metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $47,237 (2019) to $59,755 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,619 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,382 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kent 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) | $46,000 – $54,254 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,254 – $62,139 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,139 – $75,350 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,350 – $93,954 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Kent
Across Kent, the local job market for welders consists of approximately 33 professionals, signifying a concentrated but specialized workforce. The cost of living index in Kent stands at 107.4, slightly above the national average, which can affect take-home purchasing power. Major employers in the area include structural steel fabrication shops and companies involved in the oil and gas sector, both of which typically offer higher pay. The variation in wages can largely be attributed to certification levels, with higher pay tied to qualifications like 6G pipe certification paired with industry certifications such as ASME Section IX. Traveling welders can further boost their earnings significantly due to per-diem allowances. For welders in Kent, pursuing specialized training or certifications, particularly in high-demand fields like underwater or nuclear welding, can lead to increased pay opportunities and greater job security.
More salary data for Kent, 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 $59,755 for weldersin the Kent 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 Kent 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