Welder Hourly Pay in Fayetteville, AR: $23.87 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Fayetteville, AR runs $23.87 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,645 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Fayetteville's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.4, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.12 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,784 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fayetteville, Arkansas, welders can expect a median hourly rate of $23.87, which falls below the national median of $26.87. This wage reflects the local economy's dynamics and offers insight into the potential earnings for those in various working scenarios. For part-time welders, working three days a week translates to earnings of around $1,144.32 biweekly or about $29,000 annually. Per-diem and project-based roles in settings like fabrication shops or pipeline welding can provide alternative financial opportunities, with hourly rates ranging from $18.79 for entry-level positions to $30.96 for experienced welders. Understanding these figures is crucial when considering work in areas such as refinery turnarounds or shipyard operations, where demand for welding skills remains high.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.79 | $150.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.95 | $159.56 |
| Median (P50) | $23.87 | $190.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $26.84 | $214.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.96 | $247.66 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fayetteville
Based on $23.87/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.87/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fayetteville, AR can expect to earn approximately $49,641 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,639. With a cost-of-living index of 91.35 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fayetteville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fayetteville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $954.63 | $4,137 | $49,641 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $572.78 | $2,482 | $29,784 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $381.85 | $1,655 | $19,856 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Fayetteville) | $23.87 |
| 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 Fayetteville, AR earn a median of $49,645 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.18% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 0.60% above the Arkansas state average of $49,349.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.87/hr = $29,784/year (purchasing power: $32,604).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,641/year (purchasing power: $54,339).
CoL index: 91.353 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.63/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.95/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.87/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+40.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Fayetteville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.63/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.87/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.68/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.61/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.12/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.59/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.95/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.87/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.82/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Fayetteville grew 30.2% from $17.63/hr (2019) to $22.95/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.82/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 Fayetteville 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 Fayetteville
Part-time welders in Fayetteville might find themselves earning substantially less annually compared to their full-time counterparts. With a typical schedule of 24 hours per week, they may see only $29,000 in contrast to the more robust earnings of a full-time welder. For those in specialized positions, such as traveling pipe welders, the earning potential significantly increases, with base rates between $40 and $70 per hour supplemented by additional per diem compensation, often totaling between $80 and $175 daily. Those working in high-demand sectors like nuclear power or underwater welding can command impressive pay rates, with underwater welders earning anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000 per day during peak seasons. Employer type heavily influences hourly pay in Fayetteville, with structural fabrication shops, oil and gas industries, and aerospace highlighting varying salary expectations. Welders may trade lower hourly rates for benefits, and strategic negotiation can yield higher rates, especially in non-union environments where skills like 6G certification have become increasingly valuable.
More salary data for Fayetteville, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for welders in Fayetteville 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 Fayetteville. 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