Entry-Level Welder Salary in Burleson, TX: $37,513 (2026)
Quick Answer:New welders entering the Burleson, TX job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $37,513 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 51-4121, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Burleson's local price level (BEA RPP 96.0 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $39,076 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($50,032) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates beginning their careers as welders in Burleson, Texas, can anticipate a starting salary around $37,513. This entry-level welder salary in Burleson is slightly lower than the city’s median annual pay of $50,032, indicating that entry-level positions often come with a significant gap as new welders work their way up. Over the first few years, however, early-career professionals can expect steady growth, moving from approximately $37,513 at the beginning to around $43,736 at the 25th percentile, and ultimately aiming for the city median as they gain experience and skills. Given the projected annual growth rate for this industry of 3.99%, Burleson currently represents a solid job market for aspiring welders, especially those with relevant certifications looking to capitalize on early opportunities.
About the Burleson Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Burleson
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burleson
Entry-level welders in Burleson, TX typically start between $37,513 and $43,736 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $30,971 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $50,032 — 10.49% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average welding program cost in Texas of $12,000 represents just 31.99% of the starting welder pay ($37,513/year) in Burleson. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on AWS-aligned welding certificate and associate programs at community colleges and technical schools. Costs vary significantly based on program length (6 months vs 2 years) and specialty certifications (structural, pipe, underwater).
WLD Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Burleson
- 1Research the Burleson market: entry-level welder pay ranges from $37,513 to $43,736, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the welding field — employers in TX often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Burleson, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Burleson for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Burleson's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Welder Compensation Range
The welder wage spread in Burleson is $30,971 ( 82.56%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $37,513, experienced hygienists can earn up to $68,484.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$27,092
2025 BLS Actual
$36,074
2026 Current Est.
$37,513
2019–2027 Growth
+44.0%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Burleson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27,092 | Actual |
| 2020 | $28,168 | Actual |
| 2021 | $28,821 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,525 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,858 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,426 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,074 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37,513 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39,010 | Projected |
Entry-level welder compensation (10th percentile) in Burleson, TX grew 33.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $27,092 in 2019 to $36,074 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $39,010. New graduates entering the Burleson job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burleson 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.
Starting Your welding Career in Burleson
Employers in Burleson actively seek new welders from trade schools or apprenticeship programs, with many starting their careers at production welding shops or as fitters in structural and pipe shops. For those certified, opportunities abound with non-union pipeline contractors who are eager to recruit welders for extensive projects. These positions can yield competitive wages depending on skill level and certifications. Recently, credentials such as AWS certification by process and position are vital in boosting starting pay, along with NQA-1 qualifications for nuclear work or CCS certifications for structural welding. For welders aiming for higher earnings, specializing in pipeline work, particularly those with 6G pipe certification, can lead to lucrative opportunities that pay between $40-$70/hr with added per-diem. As the welding workforce ages, projections estimate a shortage of over 360,000 welders by 2027, thereby enhancing job security and growth potential for newcomers in Burleson, TX.
More salary data for Burleson, TX:
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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new welding graduates. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Burleson. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Burleson 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