Welder Hourly Pay in Phoenix, AZ: $28.26 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Phoenix, AZ runs $28.26 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,796 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Phoenix's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.3, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $27.36 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,274 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Phoenix, Arizona, the welder hourly pay stands at a competitive $28.26, notably surpassing the national hourly median of $26.87. This pay scale reflects the city's demand for skilled workers in various sectors, such as fabrication shops, pipeline trench welding, and manufacturing production cells. Welders in Phoenix often find themselves working in diverse settings like refinery turnaround scaffold platforms or shipyard hull welding bays. For those looking for part-time opportunities, such as working three days a week, the hourly pay translates into significant earnings, making it an appealing option alongside per-diem roles, which can enhance overall compensation. Entry-level welders typically earn around $21.88 per hour, while top earners can command as much as $40.64, creating a broad spectrum of opportunities that cater to various skill levels.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.88 | $175.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.44 | $195.50 |
| Median (P50) | $28.26 | $226.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.84 | $262.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.64 | $325.11 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Phoenix
Based on $28.26/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.26/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Phoenix, AZ can expect to earn approximately $58,790 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,917. With a cost-of-living index of 103.32 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Phoenix.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Phoenix
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,130.58 | $4,899 | $58,790 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $678.35 | $2,940 | $35,274 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $452.23 | $1,960 | $23,516 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Phoenix) | $28.26 |
| 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 Phoenix, AZ earn a median of $58,796 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.19% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 10.20% above the Arizona state average of $53,354.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.26/hr = $35,274/year (purchasing power: $34,142).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,790/year (purchasing power: $56,903).
CoL index: 103.316 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$20.24/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.18/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.26/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+45.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Phoenix (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.24/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.72/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.81/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.57/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.35/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.27/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.18/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.26/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.39/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Phoenix grew 34.3% from $20.24/hr (2019) to $27.18/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.39/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 Phoenix 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 Phoenix
Exploring the financial landscape of welding in Phoenix reveals varying earning potentials depending on the employment type and job conditions. A part-time welder, working 24 hours per week, can still take home a respectable income, making it a viable choice for those balancing multiple commitments. Furthermore, per-diem welders can significantly enhance their earnings, often receiving $80-$175 per day on top of their $40-$70 hourly base rate, especially in traveling roles. In specialized situations like refinery turnarounds, rates climb to $50-$80 per hour, with some welders even doubling their pay on weekends. Different employer types also influence hourly rates. Structural steel fabrication shops might offer lower wages compared to oil and gas pipeline roles or aerospace jobs, which often pay premiums for certifications like those from AWS or NQA-1. When negotiating, welders should consider the balance between hourly pay and additional benefits like health insurance, which can sway their decision on accepting higher-paying roles without benefits. This nuanced understanding of the local welder hourly rate in AZ empowers welders to make informed career choices.
More salary data for Phoenix, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for welders in Phoenix in 2026?
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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 Phoenix. 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