Welders Salary

Welder Hourly Pay in Port St. Lucie, FL: $26.13 (2026)

Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Port St. Lucie, FL runs $26.13 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $54,356 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Port St. Lucie's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.2, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $26.07 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,614 per year.

$54,356
Median Annual Salary
$26.13/hr
Hourly Rate
$42,303
Entry Level (P10)
$73,667
Top Earners (P90)

Official BLS data · View source

Welder Hourly Rate in Port St. Lucie, FL — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Port St. Lucie, FL welder hourly rate overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

Welding professionals in Port St. Lucie, FL, can expect a median hourly pay of $26.13 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $26.87. This rate reflects various work settings, including fabrication shops and pipeline welding operations, which often employ part-time workers or those on per-diem contracts. For instance, a welder working three days a week may find a decent balance between work-life and earnings, with entry-level positions starting at about $20.34 per hour and established professionals earning up to $35.42 per hour. Given the diverse applications of welding, from structural steel to specialized underwater welding, this hourly pay structure provides a solid foundation for welders looking to advance their skills and careers in Port St. Lucie.

Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown

PercentileHourly RatePer 8hr Shift
Entry Level (P10)$20.34$162.72
Lower Range (P25)$24.22$193.75
Median (P50)$26.13$209.06
Upper Range (P75)$30.25$242.01
Top Earners (P90)$35.42$283.35

Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Port St. Lucie

Based on $26.13/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.

Horizontal bars showing a welder in Port St. Lucie earning $26.13/hr would make approximately $31,359 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $54,356 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$31,359Reduced (32 hr/wk)$41,812Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$54,356

At $26.13/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Port St. Lucie, FL can expect to earn approximately $54,356 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,359. With a cost-of-living index of 100.23 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Port St. Lucie.

Annual estimates assume 5052 working weeks per year. Actual earnings vary by employer, overtime, and benefits.

Hourly Rate Calculator

$209.06
per 8hr shift
$1,045.31
per week
$4,530
per month
$54,356
per year

Schedule Comparison in Port St. Lucie

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
Full-Time (40 hrs)$1,045.31$4,530$54,356
Part-Time (24 hrs)$627.18$2,718$32,614
Per Diem (16 hrs)$418.12$1,812$21,742

Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles

RoleMedian Hourly
Welder (Port St. Lucie)$26.13
Machinist (National Avg)$25.72
Sheet Metal Worker (National Avg)$28.93
Industrial Machinery Mechanic (National Avg)$29.53
Boilermaker (National Avg)$35.08
Horizontal bar chart comparing welder median salary in Port St. Lucie ($54,356) with Florida average ($51,817) and the US national median ($55,895).Port St. Lucie$54,356Florida Avg$51,817+4.90%US National$55,895-2.75%

Welders in Port St. Lucie, FL earn a median of $54,356 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.75% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 4.90% above the Florida state average of $51,817.

Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living

Working 24h/week at $26.13/hr = $32,614/year (purchasing power: $32,539).

Working 40h/week (full-time) = $54,356/year (purchasing power: $54,232).

CoL index: 100.228 (100 = national average).

2019 BLS Actual

$20.11/hr

2025 BLS Actual

$25.13/hr

2026 Current Est.

$26.13/hr

2019–2027 Growth

+35.1%

Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Port St. Lucie (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Hourly rate trajectory chart for welders in Port St. Lucie. Baseline $20.11/hr in 2025, projected to $27.18/hr by 2027.$19$21$24$26$292019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$20.11$21.12$22.25$22.69$22.91$23.73$25.13$26.13$27.18
YearHourly RateStatus
2019$20.11/hrActual
2020$21.12/hrActual
2021$22.25/hrActual
2022$22.69/hrActual
2023$22.91/hrActual
2024$23.73/hrActual
2025$25.13/hrActual
2026(current)$26.13/hrEstimated
2027$27.18/hrProjected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Port St. Lucie grew 25.0% from $20.11/hr (2019) to $25.13/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.18/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem welders can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Port St. Lucie metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Port St. Lucie

Exploring the part-time possibilities, a welder working a 24-hour week translates their hourly rate into an annual income reflective of consistent work, while full-time welders reap more considerable rewards. The per diem landscape for welders is also appealing; traveling welders might command an additional $80-$175 per day to cover expenses, augmenting their core rates of $40-$70 per hour. Seasonal work, such as refinery turnarounds, commonly attracts top pay, ranging from $50-$80 per hour with potential overtime incentives. Various sectors across Port St. Lucie, including aerospace and defense, offer different earning potentials, emphasizing the need for welders to understand their value in negotiations. Whether a rig welder owner-operator billing $90-$160 per hour or those opting for a steady wage with benefits, strategic decision-making regarding pay can significantly impact long-term financial health in this evolving field.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for welders in Port St. Lucie in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for welders in Port St. Lucie is $26.13/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 3.99% annual growth). Rates range from $20.34 at entry level (10th percentile) to $35.42 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 2.8% below the national average. Hourly pay varies based on practice type, patient volume, years of experience, and whether the position includes benefits.

How much do part-time welders make in Port St. Lucie?

A part-time welder working 3 days per week (24 hours) in Port St. Lucie earns approximately $2,718/month, or $32,614/year at the median hourly rate of $26.13. Many welders prefer part-time schedules for work-life balance, and some work at multiple practices to maximize earnings. Part-time positions may not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions, but typically offer higher hourly rates to compensate.

Are welders in Port St. Lucie paid hourly or salary?

The majority of welders in Port St. Lucie are paid hourly at a median rate of $26.13/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $54,356/year, often bundled with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. Hourly pay gives flexibility, while salary positions provide income stability.

How much does a full-time welder make per year in Port St. Lucie?

A full-time welder working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in Port St. Lucie earns approximately $54,356/year at the median hourly rate of $26.13. This is 2.8% below the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $73,672/year at the 90th percentile rate. Overtime and weekend shifts may further increase annual earnings.

Do welders earn more per hour working part-time in Port St. Lucie?

Part-time and per diem welders in Port St. Lucie sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $35.42/hour — because practices need flexible coverage for specific days or peak hours. However, part-time positions typically do not include benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. When factoring in the value of benefits, full-time salaried positions may offer comparable or better total compensation despite a slightly lower hourly rate.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Florida

JM

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.

Clinically reviewed by Priya Singh, CWIData verified by Liam O'Connor, Welding Instructor

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 Port St. Lucie. 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

Last verified: