Welder Hourly Pay in Bullhead City, AZ: $24.98 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Bullhead City, AZ runs $24.98 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,955 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Bullhead City's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.36 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,173 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Bullhead City, Arizona, the projected welder hourly rate stands at $24.98, which is lower than the national median of $26.87. This discrepancy could be an essential factor for part-time and per-diem workers in the welding sector. Welders typically work in various sectors, such as fabrication shops, pipeline installations, and nuclear plant maintenance, where hourly pay can vary. Entry-level welders in the city can expect to earn around $19.24 per hour, while top earners may see rates as high as $35.79 per hour. This range allows for significant earning potential depending on experience, specialization, and employer type. The overall trend in Bullhead City reveals a compensation level below national averages, reflecting the local market conditions and cost of living index, which is 98.5 compared to the national average of 100.
About the Bullhead City Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.24 | $153.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.29 | $178.28 |
| Median (P50) | $24.98 | $199.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.46 | $235.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.79 | $286.35 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bullhead City
Based on $24.98/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.98/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bullhead City, AZ can expect to earn approximately $51,955 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,974. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bullhead City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bullhead City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $999.14 | $4,330 | $51,955 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $599.48 | $2,598 | $31,173 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $399.65 | $1,732 | $20,782 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Bullhead City) | $24.98 |
| 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 Bullhead City, AZ earn a median of $51,955 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.05% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 2.60% below the Arizona state average of $53,342.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.98/hr = $31,173/year (purchasing power: $31,648).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,955/year (purchasing power: $52,746).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.99/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.02/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.98/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Bullhead City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.99/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.75/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.01/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.24/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.87/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.98/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.02/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.98/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.98/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Bullhead City grew 26.5% from $18.99/hr (2019) to $24.02/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.98/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 Bullhead City 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 Bullhead City
Hourly wages in Bullhead City can significantly impact a welder's overall financial strategy. Working part-time, such as 24 hours a week, results in an annual income of approximately $31,199, while full-time welders can earn much more, potentially exceeding the national median. Furthermore, per-diem welders, especially those in traveling positions, enjoy lucrative compensation, with rates typically ranging from $40 to $70 per hour, along with daily per diem allowances that can add $80 to $175 to their earnings. In niches like refinery turnarounds or underwater welding, pay can soar even higher, with some welders earning between $1,000 to $3,000 a day during peak seasons. Additionally, the type of employer dictates hourly rates, with structural steel fabricators and self-employed mobile welders having different compensation dynamics. For welders in Bullhead City, accepting lower hourly pay might be a strategic choice if it includes health benefits. Those negotiating their rates should emphasize their certifications and experience to unlock better pay opportunities, whether working through agencies or directly with employers.
More salary data for Bullhead City, AZ:
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 Bullhead City. 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 Bullhead City 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