Welder Hourly Pay in Decatur, AL: $28.49 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Decatur, AL runs $28.49 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,264 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Decatur's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.2, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.67 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,560 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Decatur, AL, welders can expect a median hourly pay of $28.49, noticeably above the national hourly median of $26.87. This competitive rate provides opportunities for diverse working arrangements, including part-time schedules commonly seen in fabrication shops, pipeline welding, and other industrial settings. Part-time welders working three days a week can earn significant income while keeping a flexible schedule, adapting to various work environments such as shipyards or manufacturing plants. With an hourly range from $18.04 at entry-level positions to $41.90 for the highest earners in the field, the pay structure reflects the skill and experience levels required in this trade. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.04 | $144.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.05 | $184.44 |
| Median (P50) | $28.49 | $227.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.61 | $260.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.90 | $335.18 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Decatur
Based on $28.49/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.49/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Decatur, AL can expect to earn approximately $59,266 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,192. With a cost-of-living index of 87.21 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Decatur.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Decatur
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,139.73 | $4,939 | $59,266 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $683.84 | $2,963 | $35,560 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $455.89 | $1,976 | $23,706 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Decatur) | $28.49 |
| 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 Decatur, AL earn a median of $59,264 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.03% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 19.10% above the Alabama state average of $49,760.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.49/hr = $35,560/year (purchasing power: $40,774).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,266/year (purchasing power: $67,956).
CoL index: 87.212 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.46/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.40/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.49/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+38.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Decatur (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.46/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.49/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.32/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.95/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.92/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.36/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.40/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.49/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.63/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Decatur grew 27.7% from $21.46/hr (2019) to $27.40/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.63/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 Decatur 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 Decatur
Revenue potential is particularly favorable for welders who engage in per-diem work where pay can range significantly. A traveling pipe welder, for example, may command base rates between $40-$70/hr, in addition to daily per-diem payments ranging from $80-$175, which can enhance overall earnings substantially. In Decatur, the variations in hourly rates are influenced by employer type; structural steel fabrication shops and oil and gas pipeline jobs may offer different compensation strategies than aerospace or nuclear maintenance roles, with the latter often commanding premium rates due to certification requirements. While some welders may consider lower hourly rates for jobs providing benefits such as health insurance, those willing to take on contract work can secure higher pay without such provisions. Negotiation skills become vital in achieving desirable wages, whether at a local fabrication shop or a major construction site, ensuring welders in Decatur can maximize their earning potential based on their experience and specific qualifications.
More salary data for Decatur, 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 Decatur. 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