Welder Hourly Pay in Mobile, AL: $30.71 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Mobile, AL runs $30.71 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,871 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Mobile's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.1, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.86 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,324 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Mobile, Alabama, welders earn a median hourly rate of $30.71, outperforming the national median of $26.87 by a significant margin. This substantial hourly pay can benefit part-time welders looking to work around three days a week, allowing them to achieve a respectable income while maintaining lifestyle flexibility. Per-diem welders engaging in work at fabrication shops, pipeline welding stations, and refinery turnaround projects can find themselves at the higher end of the pay spectrum, with a range spanning from $22.18 for entry-level positions to $37.26 for more experienced welders. Official BLS data indicates that this pay structure attracts both self-employed mobile welders and those engaged in project-based work throughout the region’s diverse industrial landscape.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.18 | $177.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.04 | $200.33 |
| Median (P50) | $30.71 | $245.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.05 | $264.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.26 | $298.08 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Mobile
Based on $30.71/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.71/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Mobile, AL can expect to earn approximately $63,873 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,850. With a cost-of-living index of 88.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Mobile.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Mobile
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,228.33 | $5,323 | $63,873 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $737.00 | $3,194 | $38,324 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $491.33 | $2,129 | $25,549 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Mobile) | $30.71 |
| 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 Mobile, AL earn a median of $63,871 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.27% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 28.30% above the Alabama state average of $49,782.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.71/hr = $38,324/year (purchasing power: $43,501).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,873/year (purchasing power: $72,502).
CoL index: 88.098 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.56/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.53/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.71/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Mobile (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.56/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.73/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.24/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.28/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.80/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.40/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.53/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.71/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.93/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Mobile grew 20.2% from $24.56/hr (2019) to $29.53/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.93/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 Mobile 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 Mobile
To further understand the earning dynamics in Mobile, welders working part-time (24 hours per week) can expect to take home a lucrative sum compared to full-time counterparts, who have different commitments and earnings potential. Per-diem arrangements become particularly appealing for traveling pipeline welders, who often enjoy base rates between $40-$70 per hour, supplemented by daily allowances ranging from $80 to $175. During high-demand situations such as refinery turnarounds, welders can command premium rates of $50-$80 per hour plus additional pay for weekend shifts. The hourly rates in Mobile vary significantly based on employer type; welders in structural steel shops and oil and gas applications may earn different rates compared to those in aerospace or nuclear maintenance. While choosing between higher hourly pay with no benefits or lower rates with health coverage reflects individual priorities, negotiation remains essential. Welders should focus on how certifications, such as the 6G pipe certification premium or union affiliations, can influence their positioning in discussions about hourly pay in Mobile, AL.
More salary data for Mobile, 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 Mobile. 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