Welder Hourly Pay in Palm Bay, FL: $24.96 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Palm Bay, FL runs $24.96 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,922 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Palm Bay's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.0, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $24.96 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,147 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Palm Bay, Florida, the welder hourly pay averages around $24.96, which falls slightly below the national hourly median of $26.87 for welders. This wage reflects the local job market and contributes to the overall compensation dynamics for various types of welding work in the region. Welders who work part-time, say three days a week, can anticipate bringing home a substantial but variable income, while those in per-diem roles may find themselves in numerous settings, from fabrication shops to oil rigs. The hourly pay ranges from $16.45 for entry-level positions to $33.22 for highly experienced welders, indicating a clear pathway for skill development and specialization in the field. Such solid earnings align closely with the BLS projected data for 2026 and give aspiring welders in Palm Bay an idea of potential income as they build their careers.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.45 | $131.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.85 | $182.77 |
| Median (P50) | $24.96 | $199.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.93 | $239.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $33.22 | $265.80 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Palm Bay
Based on $24.96/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.96/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Palm Bay, FL can expect to earn approximately $51,912 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,949. With a cost-of-living index of 100.00 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Palm Bay.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Palm Bay
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $998.30 | $4,326 | $51,912 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $598.98 | $2,596 | $31,147 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $399.32 | $1,730 | $20,765 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Palm Bay) | $24.96 |
| 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 Palm Bay, FL earn a median of $51,922 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.11% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 0.20% above the Florida state average of $51,819.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.96/hr = $31,147/year (purchasing power: $31,146).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,912/year (purchasing power: $51,909).
CoL index: 100.005 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$18.80/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.00/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.96/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+38.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Palm Bay (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.80/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.92/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.94/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.57/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.42/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.43/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.00/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.96/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.95/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Palm Bay grew 27.7% from $18.80/hr (2019) to $24.00/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.95/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 Palm Bay 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 Palm Bay
Considering the earnings potential, a welder working part-time at 24 hours per week may expect to take home significantly less annually compared to full-time counterparts, but lucrative per-diem opportunities can offset this difference. Traveling welders, for instance, can command $40-$70 per hour, along with daily per diem rates that can reach between $80 and $175. In the refinery industry, welders can earn between $50-$80 per hour with premium payouts during shutdowns. Owner-operators working on rig welding jobs can charge between $90-$160 hourly, while underwater welders often see payments soaring as high as $1,000-$3,000 or more each day. This diverse earning potential across various employment types, including structural steel fabrication and nuclear power maintenance, allows some welders to negotiate benefits instead of higher pay. In Palm Bay, developing the right skills and certifications, such as AWS or 6G pipe certification, can lead to better job opportunities and higher wages. Specific tips for hourly workers include being clear about skill sets during negotiations and remaining open to various employer types to maximize earning potential in this vibrant market.
More salary data for Palm Bay, FL:
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 Palm Bay. 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