Welder Hourly Pay in Albany, GA: $23.58 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Albany, GA runs $23.58 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,062 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Albany's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.7, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.90 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,434 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Albany, Georgia, the welder hourly pay stands at $23.58, significantly lower than the national median of $26.87. This rate can impact those considering part-time positions; for instance, a welder working just three days a week would earn approximately $1,131.84 biweekly before taxes, while a full-time welder can expect around $3,696 per month. In the context of typical welding roles—in fabrication shops, pipeline welding stations, and during refinery turnarounds—this hourly figure provides a benchmark for both entry-level welders and those at the upper end of the spectrum, where earnings could reach up to $37.15 per hour. The hourly range from $18.71 to $37.15 illustrates the disparity between novice welders and seasoned professionals, backed by official BLS data.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.71 | $149.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.06 | $160.48 |
| Median (P50) | $23.58 | $188.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.64 | $229.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.15 | $297.16 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Albany
Based on $23.58/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.58/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Albany, GA can expect to earn approximately $49,057 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,302. With a cost-of-living index of 87.67 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Albany.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Albany
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $943.40 | $4,088 | $49,057 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $566.04 | $2,453 | $29,434 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $377.36 | $1,635 | $19,623 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Albany) | $23.58 |
| 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 Albany, GA earn a median of $49,062 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.22% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 1.60% below the Georgia state average of $49,860.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.58/hr = $29,434/year (purchasing power: $33,574).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,057/year (purchasing power: $55,957).
CoL index: 87.669 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.20/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.68/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.58/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Albany (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.20/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.71/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.96/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.83/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.57/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.30/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.68/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.58/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.53/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Albany grew 12.3% from $20.20/hr (2019) to $22.68/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.53/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 Albany 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 Albany
Welders in Albany have various earning opportunities based on their employment circumstances and specializations. For example, a part-time welder working a 24-hour week could anticipate an annual income of about $29,245, a stark contrast to full-time peers earning over $49,062. Those in union positions or specialized roles, such as pipeline welders or underwater welders, may boost their per diem welder pay in Albany significantly—traveling welders can earn between $40 and $70 per hour, and during refinery shutdowns, rates can reach $80 per hour, with added double-time for weekends. Structural steel fabrication shops may offer lower rates compared to lucrative niches in aerospace, nuclear power maintenance, or shipbuilding. Welders often face a trade-off between opting for a lower hourly rate that includes benefits versus higher pay with no health insurance. Understanding these dynamics can enhance negotiation strategies for Albany welders looking to maximize their hourly compensation.
More salary data for Albany, GA:
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 Albany. 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