Welder Salary in California
Join, cut, and shape metal using heat and specialized equipment to build and repair structures, pipelines, vehicles, and machinery.
California Welder Wages at a Glance
California welders earn a statewide median of $58,060 per year ($27.91 per hour), up 26.4% from May 2020, with the middle of the wage range running from $44,520 at the 10th percentile to $81,940 at the 90th.
California employs approximately 26,060 welders statewide, down 13.3% from May 2020.
Median Wages by Metro
| Metro | Annual median | Hourly | Employment | 5-yr wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $64,320 | $30.93/hr | 1,990 | up 15.9% |
| San Jose | $64,140 | $30.84/hr | 1,050 | up 15.1% |
| San Diego | $62,560 | $30.08/hr | 2,940 | up 18.2% |
| Salinas | $58,240 | $28.00/hr | 200 | up 11.2% |
| Bakersfield | $57,360 | $27.58/hr | 800 | up 37.4% |
| Sacramento | $57,290 | $27.55/hr | 1,530 | up 19.3% |
| Santa Rosa | $56,720 | $27.27/hr | 260 | up 17.8% |
| Los Angeles | $56,160 | $27.00/hr | 7,850 | up 34.9% |
| Oxnard | $54,560 | $26.23/hr | 580 | up 15.7% |
| Santa Maria | $52,800 | $25.39/hr | 170 | up 3.6% |
| Modesto | $52,590 | $25.29/hr | 450 | up 8.5% |
| Riverside | $52,050 | $25.02/hr | 3,810 | up 28.0% |
| Stockton | $51,480 | $24.75/hr | 740 | up 10.7% |
| Fresno | $50,550 | $24.30/hr | 950 | up 26.2% |
| Visalia | $46,850 | $22.52/hr | 350 | up 19.5% |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2020 and May 2025.