A Career Guide for Welders in Lakewood, CA

As a career analyst who’s spent years mapping out job markets across Southern California, I can tell you that Lakewood is a unique proposition for welders. It’s not the industrial heart of Los Angeles like Vernon or the manufacturing hub of the Inland Empire, but it sits at a critical crossroads—literally and figuratively. You’re within a 30-minute drive of major shipyards in Long Beach, aerospace plants in Downey, and construction sites across Los Angeles County. This guide is for the practical welder: the one who wants to know what the numbers say, what the commute will really feel like, and whether your skills will actually translate to a paycheck that makes sense in this expensive slice of the South Bay.

We’re going to cut through the fluff. You’ll get hard data on salaries, a realistic budget based on Lakewood’s cost of living, a list of actual employers you can apply to tomorrow, and the real talk on whether you should pack your tools and move here. Let’s get to work.

The Salary Picture: Where Lakewood Stands

First, let’s talk numbers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and state labor data paint a clear picture for welders in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim metro area. Lakewood itself doesn’t have its own wage data, so we use the metro area as our benchmark. The median salary for welders in this region is $51,895 per year, which translates to an hourly rate of $24.95. This is slightly above the national average of $49,590, reflecting the higher cost of labor in California. However, this is a median, meaning half of the welders here earn more, and half earn less.

The real story is in the experience levels. The 10-year job growth for welders in the metro area is a modest 2%, which is slower than the national average. This means there isn't a massive boom happening, but there is steady demand. There are approximately 156 welding jobs in the metro area at any given time, which suggests a competitive but stable market for skilled tradespeople. The key is specialization.

Experience-Level Breakdown

Wage progression in welding is heavily dependent on certifications, materials expertise, and the ability to work in high-stakes environments (like pressure vessels or aerospace). Here’s a realistic breakdown for the Lakewood/SoCal market:

Experience Level	Typical Years	Certifications	Annual Salary Range	Hourly Rate Range
Entry-Level	0-2 years	Basic AWS D1.1, OSHA 10	$38,000 - $46,000	$18.25 - $22.10
Mid-Level	3-7 years	AWS D1.1/D1.2, Pipe Certs	$47,000 - $60,000	$22.60 - $28.85
Senior	8-15 years	ASME Section IX, CWI	$61,000 - $75,000	$29.30 - $36.05
Expert/Lead	15+ years	NDE/NDT, Lead Tech, R&D	$76,000 - $95,000+	$36.55 - $45.70+

Note: These ranges are estimates based on aggregated data from industry surveys and job postings in the LA metro area. The median of $51,895 falls squarely in the mid-level range.

Comparison to Other CA Cities

How does Lakewood stack up? For a welder, your earning potential is tied to the industrial base of the city you work in, not necessarily where you live. Lakewood is a bedroom community surrounded by industrial powerhouses.

• Los Angeles/Vernon: Higher wages (median ~$54,000) due to dense manufacturing, but brutal commutes and higher competition.
• Long Beach: Similar to Lakewood’s median, with a massive concentration of shipyard and port-related work. Commute from Lakewood is easy (15-20 min on the 710).
• Riverside/San Bernardino: Lower cost of living, but wages can be 10-15% lower than the LA metro average. Job growth is slightly better due to inland logistics expansion.
• Bakersfield: Oil and gas sector drives higher wages for specialized welders (median ~$56,000), but the industry is more volatile.

Lakewood offers a strategic middle ground: you can access top-tier pay from LA/Long Beach employers without living in the heart of the chaos.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

The median salary of $51,895 sounds decent until you factor in California’s taxes and Lakewood’s rent. Let’s be brutally honest about the math.

On a $51,895 annual salary, your take-home pay after federal, state, and FICA taxes will be approximately $40,200 per year, or about $3,350 per month. This is a rough estimate; it will vary based on your withholdings and deductions.

Now, rent. The average 1-bedroom rent in Lakewood is $2,252 per month. This is a non-negotiable baseline unless you have a roommate or move to a less desirable area.

Monthly Budget Breakdown for a Welder Earning $51,895

Let’s build a realistic monthly budget for a single welder living alone in Lakewood.

Category	Amount	Notes
Gross Monthly Income	$4,325	Based on $51,895 annual salary
Est. Take-Home (After Taxes)	$3,350	Conservative estimate
Rent (1BR Avg)	-$2,252	Lakewood average
Utilities (Elec/Gas/Water)	-$150	Varies by season
Renter's Insurance	-$20	Highly recommended
Groceries	-$300	For one person
Gas/Transportation	-$350	Car is a must; gas and insurance
Health Insurance	-$200	If not covered by employer
Tools/Work Gear	-$100	Ongoing maintenance & replacement
Miscellaneous/Leisure	-$178	Phone, subscriptions, eating out
Remaining / Savings	$0	You are at break-even

This budget is tight. There is no room for significant savings, emergencies, or retirement contributions beyond a potential employer 401(k) match. You cannot afford to buy a home on this median salary in Lakewood. The median home price in Lakewood is over $700,000. A 20% down payment would be $140,000, and a monthly mortgage would be double your current rent.

Insider Tip: To make this work, you need to either (1) live with a partner/roommate to split rent, (2) secure a wage at least 15-20% above the median (aim for the $60,000+ range), or (3) commute from a more affordable city like Compton or Norwalk for lower rent.

Where the Jobs Are: Lakewood's Major Employers

While Lakewood itself is largely residential and commercial, you’re surrounded by a ring of major employers. You’ll likely commute no more than 30 minutes to a job site. Here are the key players:

1. Bethlehem Shipyard (Long Beach): Now part of General Dynamics NASSCO, this is one of the largest shipbuilding and repair facilities on the West Coast. They have a constant need for welders, especially those with ASME Section IX and AWS D1.1 certifications. Hiring is steady, and they offer union wages (IBW) which often exceed the median. Insider Tip: They hold frequent hiring events; check their career page monthly.

2. Northrop Grumman (Redondo Beach & El Segundo): Aerospace giant. Requires welders with clean-room experience, aerospace-grade welding certs (AMS, BAC), and often an FAA repairman certificate. Wages here are top-tier ($65,000+). The commute from Lakewood is 30-40 minutes on the 405, but the career growth is exceptional.

3. Tesla Gigafactory (Fremont): A longer commute (60+ min), but a major source of high-volume manufacturing jobs for welders and assemblers. They prioritize efficiency and automation experience. Wages are competitive, often with stock options.

4. LA County Public Works: They maintain bridges, water facilities, and infrastructure. Welders here work on municipal projects, often requiring a California Water Environment Association (CWEA) certification for pipeline work. It’s a stable, government job with great benefits. Jobs are posted on governmentjobs.com.

5. Local Fabrication Shops: There are dozens of small-to-medium fabrication shops in Lakewood, Cerritos, and Bellflower that serve the construction and automotive industries. These are good entry points. Look for shops like Midwest Steel or Alumimold in the area. Wages can be lower here ($20-$28/hr), but they’re often the easiest place to get your first job.

6. Port of Long Beach: While not a single employer, the port’s ecosystem needs welders for crane repair, container maintenance, and terminal infrastructure. Look for jobs with terminal operators or longshore unions.

Hiring Trends: The trend is toward welders who are also proficient in robotic welding (MIG, TIG) and can read complex blueprints. Pure manual welders are becoming less common. The 2% job growth means you’re not competing for hundreds of new jobs, but you are competing for the replacing roles, which favors those with more advanced skills.

Getting Licensed in CA

California does not have a state-wide journeyman welder license. Instead, licensing is tied to the type of work you do. Here’s the breakdown:

• Structural Welding (Buildings, Bridges): No state license. You need to be certified by the American Welding Society (AWS) to a code like D1.1 (Structural Steel) or D1.5 (Bridge Welding). Employers will test you. The AWS Certified Welder exam costs $300-$500.
• Pressure Vessels, Boilers, Piping (ASME): You must be certified to ASME Section IX. This is a code-based certification, not a state license. It’s the gold standard for pipe welding and is often more valuable than any state credential. Training and testing can cost $1,000-$3,000.
• Public Works (CA State): For jobs with the state or cities, you may need a certification from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for welding on transportation infrastructure. This involves taking an exam and having your welding process qualified. Cost is typically the employer’s responsibility.
• Welding Inspector: To advance, get a Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) credential from AWS. This is a career-changer, pushing you toward an office/field hybrid role with salaries $80,000+. The exam is tough and costs about $1,000.

Timeline to Get Started:

• Month 1-3: Enroll in a reputable welding program (e.g., at Cerritos College or Long Beach City College). Cost: $3,000-$6,000 for a certificate program.
• Month 4: Get your AWS D1.1 certification. Practice daily.
• Month 5-6: Apply for entry-level jobs. Your first job will be your real training ground.
• Year 1-2: On the job, seek out ASME Section IX training. This is often paid for by the employer for promising welders.

Best Neighborhoods for Welders

You don’t need to live in Lakewood proper to work as a welder here. Your choice depends on commute tolerance and budget.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	1BR Rent Estimate	Why It’s Good for a Welder
Lakewood (City Proper)	Quiet, suburban, family-oriented. Central to everything.	$2,250	Easy access to Long Beach and I-605. You pay a premium for convenience.
Long Beach (Eastside/Naples)	More urban, closer to shipyards. Grittier but vibrant.	$1,900 - $2,400	Walk/bike to NASSCO or Port jobs. Saves 15-30 min of commute.
Cerritos	Very clean, safe, master-planned. More expensive than Lakewood.	$2,400	Excellent access to I-605 and I-5. Great if you work in the aerospace sector.
Downey	Historic, working-class, central to manufacturing.	$1,800	Home to Boeing (formerly) and other manufacturers. Short commute to Lakewood.
Compton	More affordable, less desirable reputation, but improving.	$1,500	Biggest cost saver. 15-20 min to Lakewood. Good option if you have a roommate.

Personal Insight: If you’re single and on a tight budget, Downey or Compton are your best bets. You’ll save $400-$500 a month on rent, which is a game-changer. If you’re starting a family and prioritize safety and schools, Lakewood or Cerritos are ideal, but only if your income is solidly in the mid-to-senior level.

The Long Game: Career Growth

The 2% job growth is a wake-up call. You can’t rely on a booming market to carry you. Your career growth will come from specialization.

Specialty Premiums:

• ASME Pipe Welding: +$5-$10/hour over general welders.
• Aerospace/Defense: +$8-$15/hour. Requires extreme precision and documentation.
• Certified Welding Inspector (CWI): +$20,000-$30,000/year. Shift from manual labor to management/quality.
• Robotic Welding Programming: +$5-$8/hour. The future of manufacturing.

10-Year Outlook:
The outlook in Lakewood is stable but requires adaptation. Traditional manual welding jobs will slowly shrink due to automation. However, the aerospace and defense sectors in El Segundo and Redondo Beach are booming, driven by government contracts. The shipyards in Long Beach will remain vital for repair and maintenance. The key is to move up the value chain: from a welder who lays a bead to a technician who can program a robot, inspect a weld, or manage a fabrication project. You will need to commit to continuous learning. The welders who are still employed and earning over $80,000 in 10 years will be those who have earned their CWI or specialized in advanced materials.

The Verdict: Is Lakewood Right for You?

Lakewood is a fantastic logistical base for a welder, but it’s not a cheap place to live on a median wage. The decision hinges on your career stage and personal life.

Pros	Cons
Strategic Location: Central to Long Beach shipyards, LA manufacturing, and aerospace hubs.	High Cost of Living: Rent is 40% above the US average. $2,252/month is a major burden on $51,895 salary.
Stable Job Market: Steady demand from established industries, not a boom/bust cycle.	Slow Job Growth (2%): Few new openings; you’re often replacing someone.
Good Work-Life Balance: Suburban living with access to urban amenities and beaches.	Competition: You’re competing with welders from all over LA County. You need certs to stand out.
Strong Employer Base: Proximity to major, reputable companies like NASSCO and Northrop.	Limited Local Industry: You will commute. Lakewood itself has few welding jobs.
Quality of Life: Safe neighborhoods, good schools, diverse community.	Homeownership is Out of Reach on a median salary.

Final Recommendation:

• For a Journeyman Welder with 5+ years of experience: Yes, move to Lakewood. You can likely command a salary in the $60,000-$70,000 range, making the budget manageable. The location is perfect for advancing your career in a high-paying specialty like aerospace or pipe welding.
• For an Entry-Level Welder: Proceed with caution. You’ll likely start near the bottom of the pay scale ($18-$22/hr), making life very difficult. Consider living in a more affordable nearby city (Compton, Downey) and commuting to Lakewood-area jobs. Focus on getting your AWS certs within the first year.
• For a Welder with a Family: Only if you have dual income. A single income of $51,895 is not enough for a family in Lakewood. You would need to be in a senior role