Welder Salary in Los Alamos, NM: $48,632 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Los Alamos, NM earns a median $48,632/year (≈ $23.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Los Alamos's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 94.4), that paycheck buys what $51,517 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.8% below the New Mexico state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, welders in Los Alamos, New Mexico, can expect a median annual salary of $48,632, which is approximately 12.99% lower than the national median of $55,895. The salary range for welders in this area is projected to be between $38,204 at the 10th percentile to $67,047 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data for the state, reflect adjustments for local economic conditions, making them particularly relevant for those exploring employment in Los Alamos. Investment in equipment and skills, particularly for rig welders who may own specialized rigs costing between $80,000 and $150,000, can significantly influence their hourly rates and overall earnings.
About the Los Alamos Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,204 | $18.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,759 | $21.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,632 | $23.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56,167 | $27.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $67,047 | $32.24 |
Median Salary Position
12.99% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Los Alamos
In Los Alamos, NM, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,843 (2026 est.). At $48,632, the local median is 12.99% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Los Alamos: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Los Alamos Welder Pay Compares
Los Alamos median: $48,632/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Los Alamos Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $52,746 | -7.80% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -12.99% less |
Welders in Los Alamos, NM earn a median of $48,632 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.99% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 7.80% below the New Mexico state average of $52,746.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Los Alamos has a cost of living 5.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Los Alamos, NM has a cost-of-living index of 94.4 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $48,632 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $51,517 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,969
2025 BLS Actual
$46,766
2026 Current Est.
$48,632
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Los Alamos (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,969 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,448 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,902 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,363 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,581 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,504 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,766 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,632 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,572 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Los Alamos metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $36,969 (2019) to $46,766 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,572 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,603 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Los Alamos 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) | $38,204 – $43,759 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,759 – $48,632 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,632 – $56,167 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $56,167 – $67,047 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Los Alamos
Despite a limited employment pool, with only six welders currently in Los Alamos, the cost of living index stands at 94.4, indicating a slightly lower cost of living compared to the national average. This setup plays a vital role in the purchasing power of welders, impacting their effective take-home pay. Employers engaged in structural steel fabrication and oil and gas pipeline welding tend to offer higher wages. The variation in pay levels can be attributed to factors such as certification level—like 6G pipe or ASME IX credentials—and the type of work involved, with specialties in underwater, nuclear, and aerospace welding drawing the most lucrative contracts. For welders seeking to maximize their earnings in Los Alamos, pursuing specialized certifications and considering traveling work can provide substantial benefits, especially with per-diem opportunities that can significantly enhance overall compensation.
More salary data for Los Alamos, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $46,766 for weldersin the Los Alamos 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 Los Alamos 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