SalariesByCity
BLS SOC 51-4121 · California · Updated 2026

Welder Salary in San Francisco, CA

Welders in San Francisco, CA earn a median of $67,000/year, ranging from $51,590 (25th percentile) to $107,200 (90th percentile). After California state taxes (9.3%) and cost-of-living adjustments (COL index 186), this is equivalent to $36,022 in purchasing power vs the US average.

Median Annual
$67,000
BLS median
Entry Level (P25)
$51,590
25th percentile
Senior (P75)
$85,760
75th percentile
Top Earners (P90)
$107,200
90th percentile

1Salary Distribution in San Francisco, CA

P25
P75
P25
$51,590
Median
$67,000
P75
$85,760
P90
$107,200

2Estimated Take-Home & Purchasing Power

Gross Median Salary
$67,000
Before taxes
Est. Take-Home (After Tax)
$56,151
After 9.3% state + ~7.6% FICA
COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$30,189
vs US average (COL index: 186)

* Estimates only. Does not include federal income tax, 401k, health insurance, or local taxes. Use the Salary Calculator for a detailed breakdown.

3

How Does San Francisco, CA Compare?

Nearby and similar metro areas
CityMedianCOL IndexCOL-Adjusted
San Francisco, CA (current)$67,000186$36,022
Los Angeles, CA$57,000173$32,948
San Diego, CA$55,000152$36,184
New York, NY$64,000187$34,225
Seattle, WA$65,000162$40,123
Boston, MA$59,000162$36,420

4Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Welder salary in San Francisco, CA?

The median Welder salary in San Francisco, CA is $67,000 per year as of 2026 BLS OEWS data. The 25th percentile is $51,590 and the 90th percentile is $107,200.

Is San Francisco, CA a good place to work as a Welder?

San Francisco, CA has a cost of living index of 186 (US average = 100). After adjusting for cost of living, a $67,000 Welder salary in San Francisco, CA is equivalent to $36,022 in purchasing power compared to the US average.

What is the cost of living adjustment for San Francisco, CA?

San Francisco, CA has a cost of living index of 186, meaning it is 86% more expensive than the US average. The state income tax rate in California is approximately 9.3%.

What is the Welder salary range in San Francisco, CA?

In San Francisco, CA, Welders earn between $51,590 (25th percentile) and $107,200 (90th percentile), with a median of $67,000 per year.

How many Welder jobs are there in San Francisco, CA?

According to BLS OEWS data, there are approximately 130,000 Welder positions in the San Francisco, CA metropolitan area.

What do Welders earn in San Francisco, CA?

Based on BLS OEWS 2026 data, Welders in San Francisco, CA earn a median annual wage of $67,000. The middle 50% earn between $51,590 and $85,760. The top 10% earn more than $107,200. There are approximately 130,000 Welders employed in the San Francisco, CA metro area, with annual job growth estimated at 4.3%.

Is San Francisco, CA a good place for a Welder?

San Francisco, CA has a cost of living index of 186 (US average = 100), making it 86% more expensive than the national average. After adjusting for cost of living, a Welder in San Francisco, CA earning $67,000has the equivalent purchasing power of $36,022 relative to the US median. California has a state income tax rate of approximately 9.3%.

What is the cost of living adjustment for San Francisco, CA?

San Francisco, CA's cost of living index is 186, based on composite data including housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and utilities. This means that $67,000 in San Francisco, CAhas the same purchasing power as $36,022 in a city at exactly the US average cost of living. Housing is typically the largest driver of cost of living differences between metros.

Compare San Francisco, CA with Another City

See a detailed side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, and purchasing power.

Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program. All figures are approximate annual estimates based on the most recent available BLS data. Actual salaries may vary based on experience, education, employer size, and specific role. Cost-of-living data represents composite indices from publicly available metropolitan area data.