SalariesByCity
BLS SOC 51-4121 · Washington · Updated 2026

Welder Salary in Seattle, WA

Welders in Seattle, WA earn a median of $65,000/year, ranging from $50,050 (25th percentile) to $104,000 (90th percentile). After Washington state taxes (0%) and cost-of-living adjustments (COL index 162), this is equivalent to $40,123 in purchasing power vs the US average.

Median Annual
$65,000
BLS median
Entry Level (P25)
$50,050
25th percentile
Senior (P75)
$83,200
75th percentile
Top Earners (P90)
$104,000
90th percentile

1Salary Distribution in Seattle, WA

P25
P75
P25
$50,050
Median
$65,000
P75
$83,200
P90
$104,000

2Estimated Take-Home & Purchasing Power

Gross Median Salary
$65,000
Before taxes
Est. Take-Home (After Tax)
$60,060
After 0% state + ~7.6% FICA
COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$37,074
vs US average (COL index: 162)

* 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 Seattle, WA Compare?

Nearby and similar metro areas
CityMedianCOL IndexCOL-Adjusted
Seattle, WA (current)$65,000162$40,123
San Francisco, CA$67,000186$36,022
New York, NY$64,000187$34,225
Boston, MA$59,000162$36,420
Austin, TX$53,000124$42,742
Denver, CO$51,000128$39,844

4Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Welder salary in Seattle, WA?

The median Welder salary in Seattle, WA is $65,000 per year as of 2026 BLS OEWS data. The 25th percentile is $50,050 and the 90th percentile is $104,000.

Is Seattle, WA a good place to work as a Welder?

Seattle, WA has a cost of living index of 162 (US average = 100). After adjusting for cost of living, a $65,000 Welder salary in Seattle, WA is equivalent to $40,123 in purchasing power compared to the US average.

What is the cost of living adjustment for Seattle, WA?

Seattle, WA has a cost of living index of 162, meaning it is 62% more expensive than the US average. The state income tax rate in Washington is approximately 0%.

What is the Welder salary range in Seattle, WA?

In Seattle, WA, Welders earn between $50,050 (25th percentile) and $104,000 (90th percentile), with a median of $65,000 per year.

How many Welder jobs are there in Seattle, WA?

According to BLS OEWS data, there are approximately 145,000 Welder positions in the Seattle, WA metropolitan area.

What do Welders earn in Seattle, WA?

Based on BLS OEWS 2026 data, Welders in Seattle, WA earn a median annual wage of $65,000. The middle 50% earn between $50,050 and $83,200. The top 10% earn more than $104,000. There are approximately 145,000 Welders employed in the Seattle, WA metro area, with annual job growth estimated at 5.1%.

Is Seattle, WA a good place for a Welder?

Seattle, WA has a cost of living index of 162 (US average = 100), making it 62% more expensive than the national average. After adjusting for cost of living, a Welder in Seattle, WA earning $65,000has the equivalent purchasing power of $40,123 relative to the US median. Washington has no state income tax, which is a significant financial advantage.

What is the cost of living adjustment for Seattle, WA?

Seattle, WA's cost of living index is 162, based on composite data including housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and utilities. This means that $65,000 in Seattle, WAhas the same purchasing power as $40,123 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 Seattle, WA 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.