Welders Salary

Welder Hourly Pay in Madison, AL: $23.34 (2026)

Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Madison, AL runs $23.34 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,535 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Madison's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.9, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.55 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,123 per year.

$48,535
Median Annual Salary
$23.34/hr
Hourly Rate
$36,375
Entry Level (P10)
$69,833
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Welder Hourly Rate in Madison, AL — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Madison, AL welder hourly rate overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Madison, Alabama, the welder hourly pay stands at a median rate of $23.34, which is about 13.17% lower than the national median of $26.87 per hour. This pay structure allows for diverse working arrangements, particularly for part-time welders who may engage in work across various settings such as fabrication shops, pipeline projects, and nuclear plant maintenance. For welders working three days a week, the potential earnings can be quite appealing, although they remain significantly below what full-time workers can command. Entry-level welders may start at around $17.49 per hour, while experienced professionals, particularly those with specialized certifications like 6G pipe certification, can ascend to the higher echelons of the field, where top earners might see rates as high as $33.58 per hour. These rates are projected based on estimates from 2025 BLS data, expected to influence pay throughout 2026.

About the Madison Market

Salary estimated from Alabama average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown

PercentileHourly RatePer 8hr Shift
Entry Level (P10)$17.49$139.93
Lower Range (P25)$20.48$163.81
Median (P50)$23.34$186.68
Upper Range (P75)$27.41$219.29
Top Earners (P90)$33.58$268.63

Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Madison

Based on $23.34/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.

Horizontal bars showing a welder in Madison earning $23.34/hr would make approximately $28,002 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $48,538 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$28,002Reduced (32 hr/wk)$37,337Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$48,538

At $23.34/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Madison, AL can expect to earn approximately $48,538 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,002. With a cost-of-living index of 87.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Madison.

Annual estimates assume 5052 working weeks per year. Actual earnings vary by employer, overtime, and benefits.

Hourly Rate Calculator

$186.68
per 8hr shift
$933.41
per week
$4,045
per month
$48,538
per year

Schedule Comparison in Madison

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
Full-Time (40 hrs)$933.41$4,045$48,538
Part-Time (24 hrs)$560.05$2,427$29,123
Per Diem (16 hrs)$373.37$1,618$19,415

Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles

RoleMedian Hourly
Welder (Madison)$23.34
Machinist (National Avg)$25.72
Sheet Metal Worker (National Avg)$28.93
Industrial Machinery Mechanic (National Avg)$29.53
Boilermaker (National Avg)$35.08
Horizontal bar chart comparing welder median salary in Madison ($48,535) with Alabama average ($49,780) and the US national median ($55,895).Madison$48,535Alabama Avg$49,780-2.50%US National$55,895-13.17%

Welders in Madison, AL earn a median of $48,535 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.17% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 2.50% below the Alabama state average of $49,780.

Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living

Working 24h/week at $23.34/hr = $29,123/year (purchasing power: $33,131).

Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,538/year (purchasing power: $55,219).

CoL index: 87.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.

2019 BLS Actual

$17.74/hr

2025 BLS Actual

$22.44/hr

2026 Current Est.

$23.34/hr

2019–2027 Growth

+36.8%

Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Madison (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Hourly rate trajectory chart for welders in Madison. Baseline $17.74/hr in 2025, projected to $24.27/hr by 2027.$16$19$21$23$262019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$17.74$18.45$19.63$19.85$20.43$18.95$22.44$23.34$24.27
YearHourly RateStatus
2019$17.74/hrActual
2020$18.45/hrActual
2021$19.63/hrActual
2022$19.85/hrActual
2023$20.43/hrActual
2024$18.95/hrActual
2025$22.44/hrActual
2026(current)$23.34/hrEstimated
2027$24.27/hrProjected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Madison grew 26.5% from $17.74/hr (2019) to $22.44/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.27/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem welders can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Madison metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Madison

Part-time welders in Madison can expect to take home a considerably lower annual income compared to their full-time counterparts, based on their hours worked and the hourly rate. Specifically, a welder putting in 24 hours a week could see annual earnings much reduced from a full-time position—potentially around $29,040—compared to full-time workers who can earn upwards of $48,535 per year. For those in traveling roles, the addition of per diem compensation can enhance overall earnings significantly, sometimes ranging from $80 to $175 per day on top of the hourly wage. During peak refinery turnaround periods, welders may also command upwards of $50-$80 per hour, with weekend work often receiving double-time rates. The type of employer also plays a significant role in the variances of welder hourly rates in Madison; structural and manufacturing settings typically offer slightly lower rates, while specialized fields like nuclear power maintenance or oil and gas pipeline projects often provide higher compensation. Consequently, welders might choose jobs with lower hourly pay but better benefits versus those offering higher wages without health privileges. Negotiating an hourly rate can be influenced by factors such as industry demand and the unique skills a welder brings to potential employers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for welders in Madison in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for welders in Madison is $23.34/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 3.99% annual growth). Rates range from $17.49 at entry level (10th percentile) to $33.58 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 13.2% below the national average. Hourly pay varies based on practice type, patient volume, years of experience, and whether the position includes benefits.

How much do part-time welders make in Madison?

A part-time welder working 3 days per week (24 hours) in Madison earns approximately $2,427/month, or $29,123/year at the median hourly rate of $23.34. Many welders prefer part-time schedules for work-life balance, and some work at multiple practices to maximize earnings. Part-time positions may not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions, but typically offer higher hourly rates to compensate.

Are welders in Madison paid hourly or salary?

The majority of welders in Madison are paid hourly at a median rate of $23.34/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $48,538/year, often bundled with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. Hourly pay gives flexibility, while salary positions provide income stability.

How much does a full-time welder make per year in Madison?

A full-time welder working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in Madison earns approximately $48,538/year at the median hourly rate of $23.34. This is 13.2% below the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $69,843/year at the 90th percentile rate. Overtime and weekend shifts may further increase annual earnings.

Do welders earn more per hour working part-time in Madison?

Part-time and per diem welders in Madison sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $33.58/hour — because practices need flexible coverage for specific days or peak hours. However, part-time positions typically do not include benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. When factoring in the value of benefits, full-time salaried positions may offer comparable or better total compensation despite a slightly lower hourly rate.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Alabama

JM

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.

Clinically reviewed by Priya Singh, CWIData verified by Liam O'Connor, Welding Instructor

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 Madison. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Madison is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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