Welder Hourly Pay in Montgomery, AL: $23.94 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Montgomery, AL runs $23.94 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,790 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Montgomery's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.7, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.69 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,875 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Montgomery, Alabama, the 2026 estimated welder hourly pay stands at $23.94, a figure that falls below the national median hourly pay of $26.87. With this rate, those working part-time—such as welders logging just three days a week—can still secure a respectable income, particularly in settings like fabrication shops, pipeline welding locations, or shipyards. Entry-level positions typically start around $18.68 per hour, while seasoned professionals can earn as much as $35.57 per hour. This official Bureau of Labor Statistics data highlights the potential for welders to find flexible opportunities, whether in a traditional job or as self-employed mobile rig welders, allowing for varied work experiences across diverse project types in Montgomery.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.68 | $149.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.83 | $166.63 |
| Median (P50) | $23.94 | $191.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.88 | $239.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.57 | $284.60 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Montgomery
Based on $23.94/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.94/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Montgomery, AL can expect to earn approximately $49,792 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,726. With a cost-of-living index of 89.68 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Montgomery.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Montgomery
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $957.54 | $4,149 | $49,792 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $574.52 | $2,490 | $29,875 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $383.02 | $1,660 | $19,917 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Montgomery) | $23.94 |
| 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 Montgomery, AL earn a median of $49,790 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.92% lower than the national median of $55,895.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.94/hr = $29,875/year (purchasing power: $33,312).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,792/year (purchasing power: $55,521).
CoL index: 89.682 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.05/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.02/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.94/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Montgomery (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.05/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.40/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.73/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.78/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.24/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.33/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.02/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.94/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Montgomery grew 20.8% from $19.05/hr (2019) to $23.02/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.89/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 Montgomery 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 Montgomery
Welder pay in Montgomery also reflects diverse earning potentials based on work arrangements and employer types. A part-time welder, averaging just 24 hours a week, may take home significantly lower earnings than a full-time counterpart, potentially seeing annual income figures that contrast sharply with those of full-time employees. Traveling welders often enjoy per diem arrangements, earning between $80-$175 per day on top of their base rate of $40-$70 per hour, making agency work lucrative. Refinery turnaround situations can offer welders $50-$80 per hour during peak periods, with doubled overtime on weekends. Owner-operators in the rig welder segment can command rates between $90 and $160 per hour, making this segment particularly appealing for those looking to maximize their hourly rates. Trade-offs come into play as welders weigh the benefits of higher pay against job stability and health insurance offerings, making negotiation skills critical for hourly workers in the competitive Montgomery welding environment.
More salary data for Montgomery, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for welders in Montgomery in 2026?
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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 Montgomery. 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