Welder Hourly Pay in Surprise, AZ: $25.59 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Surprise, AZ runs $25.59 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $53,231 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Surprise's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.98 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,939 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Surprise, Arizona, the welder hourly pay stands at a median rate of $25.59, which falls slightly below the national average of $26.87. This difference reveals the local market dynamics for welders, even as they work across various environments such as fabrication shops, pipeline welding sites, and shipyards. For part-time welders operating three days a week, this equates to a substantial pay for those balancing multiple commitments, particularly when work settings range from manufacturing production cells to mobile rig setups. Entry-level positions can expect to earn around $18.93 per hour, while seasoned welders, especially those equipped with specialized certifications like 6G pipe, can command up to $37.72 hourly, making the profession appealing for those with advanced skills within the state.
About the Surprise 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) | $18.93 | $151.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.34 | $178.70 |
| Median (P50) | $25.59 | $204.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.46 | $243.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.72 | $301.74 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Surprise
Based on $25.59/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.59/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Surprise, AZ can expect to earn approximately $53,231 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,710. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Surprise.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Surprise
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,023.68 | $4,436 | $53,231 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $614.21 | $2,662 | $31,939 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $409.47 | $1,774 | $21,292 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Surprise) | $25.59 |
| 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 Surprise, AZ earn a median of $53,231 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.77% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 0.20% below the Arizona state average of $53,338.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.59/hr = $31,939/year (purchasing power: $32,425).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $53,231/year (purchasing power: $54,042).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.45/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.61/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.59/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Surprise (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.45/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.23/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.52/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.77/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.41/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.57/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.61/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.59/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.61/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Surprise grew 26.5% from $19.45/hr (2019) to $24.61/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.61/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 Surprise 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 Surprise
When examining per-diem opportunities, the flexibility of hours can markedly impact a welder's take-home pay in Surprise. Welders working three days a week would earn significantly less annually than their full-time counterparts. For those embracing per-diem roles, the reality can be lucrative, with daily allowances of $80 to $175 often layered atop standard pay. For example, fieldwork during refinery shutdowns could yield $50 to $80 per hour, with extra pay for weekend hours often double. Structural and pipe welders may work with varying financial packages depending on their employer—fabrication shops may offer consistent but potentially lower hourly rates compared to higher-earning opportunities in the oil and gas sector. Some welders opt for stability and benefits over pay, which can complicate the decision-making process. Negotiating effectively is key; understanding the local economy, particularly in Surprise, can provide a significant advantage when discussing pay rates with potential employers.
More salary data for Surprise, 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 Surprise. 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 Surprise 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