Welder Hourly Pay in Dover, DE: $24.25 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Dover, DE runs $24.25 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,446 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Dover's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.5, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.87 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,265 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median hourly rate for welders in Dover, Delaware, is projected to be $24.25. This figure sits 9.75% below the national median hourly pay of $26.87. For part-time welders working three days a week, this translates to an annual income of approximately $30,180, which could be beneficial for those balancing other commitments. Work settings for welders vary widely, from fabrication shop production lines to pipeline welding projects and shipyard operations. The hourly rate in Dover also has a broad spectrum, with entry-level positions starting around $19.67 and experienced welders earning up to $38.01. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, highlighting the diverse opportunities within the profession.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.67 | $157.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.77 | $190.18 |
| Median (P50) | $24.25 | $194.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.56 | $236.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.01 | $304.07 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Dover
Based on $24.25/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.25/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Dover, DE can expect to earn approximately $50,441 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,101. With a cost-of-living index of 97.51 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Dover.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Dover
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $970.02 | $4,203 | $50,441 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $582.01 | $2,522 | $30,265 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $388.01 | $1,681 | $20,176 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Dover) | $24.25 |
| 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 Dover, DE earn a median of $50,446 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.75% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 11.30% below the Delaware state average of $56,872.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.25/hr = $30,265/year (purchasing power: $31,038).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,441/year (purchasing power: $51,731).
CoL index: 97.507 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.42/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.32/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.25/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Dover (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.42/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.52/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.05/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.61/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.10/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.56/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.32/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.25/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.22/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Dover grew 20.1% from $19.42/hr (2019) to $23.32/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.22/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 Dover 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 Dover
Welders opting for part-time roles may find themselves with a distinct financial profile compared to their full-time counterparts. Taking only 24 hours a week, part-time welders might earn significantly less than those working full-time, creating a gap particularly noticeable in high-demand fields. For example, per diem arrangements tend to boost earnings, with traveling welders often earning a daily per diem ranging from $80 to $175 on top of base rates of $40 to $70 per hour. Those in the oil and gas sector during refinery turnarounds can command $50 to $80 per hour, often enjoying double-time pay for weekend shifts. Different types of employers in Dover, such as structural steel fabrication shops or underwater welding companies, also influence earning potential significantly. While some welders might choose to accept lower hourly wages for job security and benefits, those who are self-employed or involved in specialized sectors can negotiate rates higher than $90 per hour. Understanding these dynamics is essential for welders in Dover looking to optimize their earnings in this competitive field.
More salary data for Dover, DE:
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 Dover. 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