Welder salary in California
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A Welder in California earns a median of $58,060 a year ($27.91/hour equivalent), 8.0% above the national median of $53,750. California ranks #24 of 51 states. About 26,060 people do this job in California.
Take-home pay in California
At the California median, a single filer keeps about $46,553 a year after federal, FICA and California taxes — $1,791 every two weeks. Try your own numbers with the California paycheck calculator.
- Gross pay
- $2,233.08
- Federal income tax
- −$184.12
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$138.45
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$32.38
- California income tax
- −$58.58
- CA SDI
- −$29.03
- Take-home pay
- $1,790.51
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $58,060
- Federal
- $4,787
- FICA
- $4,442
- State + local
- $2,278
- Net
- $46,553
- Marginal federal rate
- 12.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 6.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
How California compares
| Rank | State | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Alaska | $80,840 |
| #2 | Hawaii | $79,000 |
| #3 | Connecticut | $64,880 |
| #4 | Wyoming | $63,820 |
| #5 | Washington | $63,020 |
| #24 | California | $58,060 |
| #49 | Georgia | $48,430 |
| #50 | Tennessee | $48,040 |
| #51 | Arkansas | $47,970 |
See the national Welder salary page for the full pay range and all states.
BLS occupation: Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers (SOC 51-4121), May 2025, state estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Welder make in California?
The median salary is $58,060 a year and the average is $61,120 (BLS May 2025).
Is California a good state for welders?
California ranks #24 of 51 states for median pay in this job, 8% above the national median of $53,750.
What is $58,060 after taxes in California?
About $46,553 a year ($1,791 every two weeks) for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.