How much does a welder make in California?
$58,060a year
Median yearly pay for welders in California. That is $27.91 an hour or $4,838 a month.
- Hourly
- $27.91
- Vs. national median
- +8%
- Rank among states
- 24 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 26,060
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $44,520Median: $58,060Highest 10%: $81,940
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $44,520 | $21.40 | |
| 25th | $48,480 | $23.31 | |
| Median | $58,060 | $27.91 | |
| 75th | $70,400 | $33.85 | |
| 90th | $81,940 | $39.39 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Francisco, CA | $64,320 |
| San Jose, CA | $64,140 |
| Vallejo, CA | $63,860 |
| Napa, CA | $62,890 |
| San Diego, CA | $62,560 |
| El Centro, CA | $58,350 |
| Salinas, CA | $58,240 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $57,360 |
| Sacramento, CA | $57,290 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $56,720 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $56,160 |
| Oxnard, CA | $54,560 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $53,280 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $52,800 |
| Modesto, CA | $52,590 |
| Redding, CA | $52,450 |
| Riverside, CA | $52,050 |
| Stockton, CA | $51,480 |
| Yuba City, CA | $51,040 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $50,840 |
| Fresno, CA | $50,550 |
| Merced, CA | $50,340 |
| Chico, CA | $48,740 |
| Hanford, CA | $47,520 |
| Visalia, CA | $46,850 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for welders.
| 21. Colorado | $58,590 |
| 22. Wisconsin | $58,410 |
| 23. Utah | $58,380 |
| 24. California | $58,060 |
| 25. Delaware | $57,270 |
| 26. Montana | $55,610 |
| 27. Arizona | $55,600 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a welder make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $27.91 ($58,060 a year).
Do welders make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $58,060 against $53,750 nationally, 8% more.
Where does California rank for welder pay?
California ranks 24 of 51 states.
Which city in California pays welders the most?
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, with a median of $64,320 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.