AmericaByNumbers.com

Welder Salary in California

How much does a Welder make in California?

Last updated: 2024 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

$57,940
Median Annual Salary
$61,980
Mean Salary
$57,940
Median Salary
$27.86
Hourly Rate
26,100 people work as Welder in California

About This Job: Welder

Use hand-welding, flame-cutting, hand-soldering, or brazing equipment to weld or join metal components or to fill holes, indentations, or seams of fabricated metal products.

Top Skills

Quality Control Analysis
3.12
Monitoring
3.0
Critical Thinking
2.88
Judgment and Decision Making
2.88
Operations Monitoring
2.75

Key Knowledge Areas

Production and Processing
3.49
Mechanical
3.1
Mathematics
2.94
English Language
2.87
Design
2.82
Typical Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent (53.5% of workers)

Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor

Salary Range: Welder in California

Salaries for Welder in California range from $44,200 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $84,690 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $47,990 and $69,950.

Median $57,940
P10: $44,200 P25: $47,990 P75: $69,950 P90: $84,690
10th
$44,200
25th
$47,990
Median
$57,940
75th
$69,950
90th
$84,690
Percentile Annual Salary Hourly Rate Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level) $44,200 $21.25 $3,683
25th Percentile $47,990 $23.07 $3,999
Median (50th) $57,940 $27.86 $4,828
75th Percentile $69,950 $33.63 $5,829
90th Percentile (Experienced) $84,690 $40.72 $7,057

Note: The mean (average) salary of $61,980 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.

🚀 What To Do Next

Some links may be affiliate links. See our Affiliate Disclosure.

What does this salary really buy? See Welder salary in California adjusted for cost of living →

Welder Salary by State

Compare Welder pay across states — sorted by highest median salary.

View all 50 states →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Welder make in California?
The median annual salary for a Welder in California is $57,940 as of 2024. The average (mean) salary is $61,980.
What is the salary range for a Welder in California?
Salaries for Welder in California range from $44,200 at the 10th percentile to $84,690 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50%% earn between $47,990 and $69,950.
What is the starting salary for a Welder in California?
Entry-level Welder positions in California typically start around $44,200 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $47,990 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Welder in California?
According to 2024 BLS data, approximately 26,100 people are employed as Welder in California.
What is the hourly rate for a Welder in California?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Welder in California is approximately $27.86 per hour.

Data Source & Methodology

Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2024 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.

Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS