Welder Salary in Spokane, WA: $61,718 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Spokane, WA earns a median $61,718/year (≈ $29.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Spokane's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 100.3), that paycheck buys what $61,505 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With an estimated median annual salary of $61,718 in 2026, welders in Spokane, Washington, are not only competitive within the local market but also exceed the national median by approximately 10.42%. Their salaries range significantly, from $46,889 at the 10th percentile to $77,421 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the wide variety in experience and specialization. This data—derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, projected to the coming year—indicates that welders in Spokane can find rewarding opportunities, particularly if they are open to traveling pipe welding work, which can offer lucrative per-diem packages along with tax advantages. Such positions often pay significantly higher compared to local shop wages, thereby attracting talent looking for better compensation.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,889 | $22.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,383 | $24.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,718 | $29.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,720 | $32.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,421 | $37.22 |
Median Salary Position
10.42% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Spokane
In Spokane, WA, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,532 (2026 est.). At $61,718, the local median is 10.42% above the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Spokane: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Spokane Welder Pay Compares
Spokane median: $61,718/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Spokane Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $62,279 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | +10.42% more |
Welders in Spokane, WA earn a median of $61,718 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.42% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 0.90% below the Washington state average of $62,279.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Spokane has a cost of living 0.35% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Spokane, WA has a cost-of-living index of 100.346 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $61,718 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $61,505 — a 0.35% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,730
2025 BLS Actual
$59,350
2026 Current Est.
$61,718
2019–2027 Growth
+43.5%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Spokane (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,730 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,940 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,740 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,520 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,750 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,850 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,350 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,718 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,181 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Spokane metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 32.7% from $44,730 (2019) to $59,350 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,181 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,451 (43.49%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Spokane 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) | $46,889 – $50,383 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,383 – $61,718 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,718 – $66,720 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,720 – $77,421 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Spokane
The job market for welders in Spokane stands robust with approximately 630 professionals employed in the area, a positive indicator of demand. However, it's crucial to consider the cost of living, represented by an index of 100.346, which is slightly above the national average. This economic backdrop impacts take-home pay and purchasing power. Among the employers that typically offer the highest welder pay in Spokane are those in structural steel fabrication, oil and gas pipeline operations, and aerospace sectors, where specialized skills, such as 6G pipe certification or nuclear welding, command a premium. The salary variance in Spokane is mainly driven by the welding niche—those engaged in high-stakes environments or specialized processes earn more. Moreover, welders looking to maximize their earnings should consider enhancing certifications, engaging in traveling assignments, or choosing sectors with cyclical booms, such as pipelines, to optimize their financial outcome in a market that remains influenced by the aging workforce and increasing skills shortages.
More salary data for Spokane, 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 $59,350 for weldersin the Spokane 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