Welder Hourly Pay in Fort Smith, AR: $23.31 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Fort Smith, AR runs $23.31 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,491 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Fort Smith's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.9, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.15 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,097 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fort Smith, AR, welders earn a median hourly pay of $23.31, which is notably lower than the national median of $26.87. This difference highlights the local economic conditions and labor market dynamics, particularly for welders engaged in various scenarios, such as part-time work or per-diem roles. A welder working three days a week might expect to earn approximately $1,069 weekly. With entry-level positions starting around $18.45 per hour and top earners making up to $29.07, there's a clear range that reflects skill level and experience, especially in high-demand sectors like refinery and pipeline welding. These figures, drawn from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, illustrate the earning potential of welders in Fort Smith across different work settings, including fabrication shops and mobile setups.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.45 | $147.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.01 | $160.06 |
| Median (P50) | $23.31 | $186.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.08 | $200.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.07 | $232.52 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fort Smith
Based on $23.31/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.31/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fort Smith, AR can expect to earn approximately $48,494 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,977. With a cost-of-living index of 85.89 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fort Smith.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fort Smith
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $932.58 | $4,041 | $48,494 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $559.55 | $2,425 | $29,097 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $373.03 | $1,616 | $19,398 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Fort Smith) | $23.31 |
| 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 Fort Smith, AR earn a median of $48,491 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.25% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 1.70% below the Arkansas state average of $49,329.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.31/hr = $29,097/year (purchasing power: $33,877).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,494/year (purchasing power: $56,462).
CoL index: 85.888 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.08/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.42/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.31/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Fort Smith (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.08/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.36/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.46/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.85/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.85/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.42/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.31/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.24/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Fort Smith grew 17.5% from $19.08/hr (2019) to $22.42/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.24/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 Fort Smith 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 Fort Smith
The potential for part-time welders in Fort Smith differs significantly when compared to their full-time counterparts. A welder working 24 hours weekly will earn around $43,596 annually, while a full-time welder can expect much higher earnings. Additionally, per diem arrangements can significantly enhance pay, with traveling welders receiving $80-$175 daily on top of a base rate ranging from $40-$70 per hour. During shutdowns, refinery turnaround welders can command rates of $50-$80 per hour, often with double-time pay for weekends. While structural steel fabrication shops and manufacturing plants tend to offer lower hourly rates compared to high-stakes industries like oil and gas, the trade-off may come down to benefits versus pay rates. For those negotiating their welder hourly rate in Fort Smith, understanding the specific demands of different employer types and their corresponding pay structures is essential for maximizing earnings.
More salary data for Fort Smith, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for welders in Fort Smith in 2026?
How much do part-time welders make in Fort Smith?
Are welders in Fort Smith paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time welder make per year in Fort Smith?
Do welders earn more per hour working part-time in Fort Smith?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Arkansas
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 Fort Smith. 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