Welder Hourly Pay in Vestavia Hills, AL: $22.97 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Vestavia Hills, AL runs $22.97 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,791 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Vestavia Hills's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.9, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.13 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,668 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Vestavia Hills, Alabama, the welder hourly pay stands at a median rate of $22.97, notably lower than the national median of $26.87. This rate indicates that welders in the area may find part-time and per-diem work opportunities less lucrative compared to national averages, particularly in settings like fabrication shops or pipeline sites. Entry-level welders can expect to earn around $17.24 per hour, while experienced professionals at the top of the scale can command up to $32.29 an hour. These figures suggest that there is a wide range of earnings potential depending on experience and skill level, reflective of the need for specialized certifications such as AWS or NCCER to secure higher-paying jobs in demanding environments.
About the Vestavia Hills 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) | $17.24 | $137.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.10 | $160.81 |
| Median (P50) | $22.97 | $183.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $26.72 | $213.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $32.29 | $258.31 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Vestavia Hills
Based on $22.97/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.97/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Vestavia Hills, AL can expect to earn approximately $47,780 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,566. With a cost-of-living index of 87.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Vestavia Hills.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Vestavia Hills
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $918.86 | $3,982 | $47,780 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $551.31 | $2,389 | $28,668 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $367.54 | $1,593 | $19,112 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Vestavia Hills) | $22.97 |
| 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 Vestavia Hills, AL earn a median of $47,791 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.50% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 4.00% below the Alabama state average of $49,782.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.97/hr = $28,668/year (purchasing power: $32,615).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,780/year (purchasing power: $54,358).
CoL index: 87.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.46/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.09/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.97/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Vestavia Hills (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.46/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.16/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.32/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.54/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.11/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.66/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.09/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.97/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Vestavia Hills grew 26.5% from $17.46/hr (2019) to $22.09/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.89/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 Vestavia Hills 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 Vestavia Hills
The financial outlook for part-time welders in Vestavia Hills can be significantly different based on their work schedule. For instance, a welder working three days a week, or 24 hours, might take home around $28,000 annually, dramatically less than their full-time counterparts who earn close to $47,791. Traveling welders often enhance their base rate of $40-$70 per hour with per diem rates ranging from $80 to $175, a notable increase for those in temporary work positions. Employer types in Vestavia Hills can influence pay: those in structural steel fabrication may earn comparatively less, while those in oil and gas or nuclear sectors can translate their skills into higher wages. Furthermore, welders often negotiate trade-offs between hourly rates and benefits. Accepting a lower rate for guaranteed health insurance is common, presenting a strategic choice on managing personal finances and job stability in the local market.
More salary data for Vestavia Hills, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for welders in Vestavia Hills in 2026?
How much do part-time welders make in Vestavia Hills?
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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 Vestavia Hills. 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 Vestavia Hills 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