Welder Hourly Pay in Anniston, AL: $29.91 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Anniston, AL runs $29.91 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,207 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Anniston's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.9, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.80 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,325 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Welding professionals in Anniston, Alabama can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $29.91, which is notably higher than the national median of $26.87. This robust hourly rate facilitates lucrative opportunities for part-time and per-diem workers who may operate in various settings such as fabrication shop production lines, pipeline trench welding stations, or shipyard hull welding bays. For instance, a part-time welder working three days a week could still achieve a commendable income given the hourly range in Anniston, where entry-level positions start around $19.85 and top earners can reach up to $33.67. These figures, drawn from reliable Bureau of Labor Statistics data, highlight both the competitive pay landscape and the attractive potential for welders in this specific Alabama market.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.85 | $158.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.41 | $195.25 |
| Median (P50) | $29.91 | $239.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.20 | $257.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $33.67 | $269.38 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Anniston
Based on $29.91/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.91/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Anniston, AL can expect to earn approximately $62,208 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,889. With a cost-of-living index of 85.95 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Anniston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Anniston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,196.30 | $5,184 | $62,208 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $717.78 | $3,110 | $37,325 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $478.52 | $2,074 | $24,883 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Anniston) | $29.91 |
| Machinist (National Avg) | $25.72 |
| Sheet Metal Worker (National Avg) | $28.93 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic (National Avg) | $29.53 |
| Boilermaker (National Avg) | $35.08 |
Welders in Anniston, AL earn a median of $62,207 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.29% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 25.00% above the Alabama state average of $49,765.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.91/hr = $37,325/year (purchasing power: $43,426).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,208/year (purchasing power: $72,377).
CoL index: 85.949 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.21/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.76/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.91/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Anniston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.21/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.19/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.18/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.77/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.13/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.65/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.76/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.91/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.10/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Anniston grew 23.9% from $23.21/hr (2019) to $28.76/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.10/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem welders can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Anniston 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.
Working as an Hourly Welder in Anniston
Focusing on the earning potential for part-time welders, those working 24 hours a week could take home around $37,257 annually, which is substantial considering the flexibility it provides. In the realm of per-diem or agency work, traveling pipe welders often benefit from additional compensation, earning between $80 and $175 daily, along with base rates of $40 to $70 per hour. The variation in hourly rates across different types of employers in Anniston is significant—structural steel fabrication shops might offer a different wage scale compared to refinery turnaround crews or aerospace and defense sectors, where specialized certifications can command higher hourly pay. Recognizing that some welders might opt for lower hourly wages in exchange for health insurance is crucial. Practical negotiation skills can be a game changer in maximizing pay for welders in Anniston, AL. For instance, researching local wage rates or leveraging certification credentials can significantly affect compensation discussions in this competitive field.
More salary data for Anniston, AL:
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for welders in Anniston. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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