How much does a welder make in Santa Cruz?
$50,840a year
Median yearly pay for welders in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area. That is $24.44 an hour or $4,237 a month.
- Hourly
- $24.44
- Vs. national median
- -5%
- Rank among cities
- 227 of 382
- Jobs in the area
- 90
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $40,080Median: $50,840Highest 10%: $81,580
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $40,080 | $19.27 | |
| 25th | $46,070 | $22.15 | |
| Median | $50,840 | $24.44 | |
| 75th | $62,400 | $30.00 | |
| 90th | $81,580 | $39.22 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for welders.
| 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 |
| Fresno, CA | $50,550 |
| Merced, CA | $50,340 |
| Chico, CA | $48,740 |
| Hanford, CA | $47,520 |
| Visalia, CA | $46,850 |
Related jobs in Santa Cruz
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operator | $94,060 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Worker | $74,690 |
| Coating | $61,260 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $59,280 |
| Separating | $55,560 |
| Machinist | $51,420 |
| Inspector | $51,210 |
| Cabinetmaker and Bench Carpenter | $49,340 |
| Electrical | $49,280 |
| Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator | $47,560 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a welder make an hour in Santa Cruz?
The median hourly pay in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area is $24.44 ($50,840 a year).
Do welders make more in Santa Cruz than the national average?
No: $50,840 against $53,750 nationally, 5% less.
How does Santa Cruz compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $58,060, so Santa Cruz pays 12% less.
Where does Santa Cruz rank for welder pay?
227 of 382 metro areas with data.
How much does a welder make starting out in Santa Cruz?
The lowest-paid 10% make $40,080 or less a year; the top 10% make $81,580 or more.
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.