Welder Salary in Montclair, NJ: $63,755 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Montclair, NJ earns a median $63,755/year (≈ $30.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Montclair's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $55,343 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, welders in Montclair, New Jersey, are expected to earn a median annual salary of $63,755, significantly outperforming the national average of $55,895 by 14.06%. Local estimates indicate that salaries can range from $47,509 at the 10th percentile to $87,238 at the 90th percentile, reflective of the diverse competencies present in the welding trade. These figures, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost factors, suggest a robust market for welding professionals in Montclair. The job landscape is further enhanced by equipment ownership pathways, where investment in quality welding tools can lead to higher hourly rates for skilled welders.
About the Montclair Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,509 | $22.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,181 | $27.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,755 | $30.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,690 | $34.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87,238 | $41.94 |
Median Salary Position
14.06% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Montclair
In Montclair, NJ, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,729 (2026 est.). At $63,755, the local median is 14.06% above the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Montclair: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Montclair Welder Pay Compares
Montclair median: $63,755/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Montclair Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $64,399 | -1.00% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | +14.06% more |
Welders in Montclair, NJ earn a median of $63,755 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.06% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 1.00% below the New Jersey state average of $64,399.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Montclair has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Montclair, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $63,755 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $55,343 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,465
2025 BLS Actual
$61,309
2026 Current Est.
$63,755
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Montclair (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,465 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,405 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,621 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,226 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,823 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,438 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,309 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,755 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,299 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Montclair metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $48,465 (2019) to $61,309 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,299 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,834 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Montclair metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.99% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $47,509 – $58,181 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,181 – $63,755 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,755 – $72,690 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,690 – $87,238 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Montclair
The local job market for welders remains relatively small, with only 10 welders currently employed in the area. However, this limited size is matched by a cost-of-living index of 115.2, indicating that take-home pay can stretch further compared to many other locations. Employers in Montclair, particularly those in specialized sectors such as aerospace, petrochemical, and structural steel fabrication, tend to offer the most competitive pay. Factors influencing the disparity in wages include an individual’s certification level and specialty; for instance, 6G certification considerably boosts earning potential compared to standard structural welding. Traveling positions also bring significant financial advantages, with per-diem allowances elevating overall compensation. To maximize earnings in the Montclair market, aspiring welders should focus on acquiring relevant certifications and consider mobile welding opportunities that may provide higher pay rates and expanded job options.
More salary data for Montclair, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by James Mendoza, AWS Certified Welder
Career Analyst
James has over 10 years of experience in welding. He specializes in MIG and TIG welding. He has worked in various manufacturing settings.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $61,309 for weldersin the Montclair metropolitan area. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Montclair is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.99%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for welders (SOC 51-4121).
Compiled and verified by James Mendoza, AWS Certified Welder, a licensed welder with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov