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.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

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
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 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.
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.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Madison
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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
| Role | Median 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 |
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 (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.74/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.45/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.63/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.85/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.43/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.95/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.44/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.34/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.27/hr | Projected |
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 (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Madison 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 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.
More salary data for Madison, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 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).
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