Welder Hourly Pay in Augusta, GA: $25.39 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Augusta, GA runs $25.39 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $52,827 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Augusta's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.9, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.63 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,692 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Welder hourly pay in Augusta, Georgia is projected to be $25.39 for 2026, which falls slightly below the national hourly median of $26.87. This hourly rate allows for diverse employment scenarios in various welding environments, including fabrication shops, pipeline welding stations, and shipyard hull welding bays. For part-time welders working three days a week, this translates into a stable income, while per-diem workers can receive additional compensation on top of their wages. Entry-level welders in Augusta can expect to earn around $19.26 per hour, while top earners can make up to $35.50 hourly, reflecting a significant wage spectrum based on experience and certification levels, such as those holding 6G pipe certifications or specialized AWS qualifications.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.26 | $154.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.74 | $173.95 |
| Median (P50) | $25.39 | $203.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.37 | $242.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.50 | $284.02 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Augusta
Based on $25.39/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.39/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Augusta, GA can expect to earn approximately $52,820 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,473. With a cost-of-living index of 91.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Augusta.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Augusta
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,015.77 | $4,402 | $52,820 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $609.46 | $2,641 | $31,692 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $406.31 | $1,761 | $21,128 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Augusta) | $25.39 |
| 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 Augusta, GA earn a median of $52,827 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.49% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 5.90% above the Georgia state average of $49,884.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.39/hr = $31,692/year (purchasing power: $34,484).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $52,820/year (purchasing power: $57,474).
CoL index: 91.903 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.74/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.42/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.39/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Augusta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.74/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.13/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.48/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.47/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.77/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.17/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.42/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.39/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.41/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Augusta grew 23.7% from $19.74/hr (2019) to $24.42/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.41/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 Augusta 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 Augusta
Part-time welders in Augusta could potentially earn around $31,000 annually if they work 24 hours a week at the median hourly rate. This is a considerable difference when contrasted with full-time welders who take home much more. Per-diem welding opportunities present lucrative options as well; traveling pipe welders typically command rates of $40-$70 per hour, often accompanied by daily per-diem ranging from $80-$175 depending on the job and location. During refinery turnarounds, welders may see rates soar to $50-$80 per hour plus potential double-time for weekend work, while underwater welders can earn an astounding $1,000-$3,000 per day during diving seasons. Additionally, hourly rates vary based on the employer type, with opportunities in structural steel fabrication, oil and gas pipeline sectors, and aerospace welding. Some welders opt for slightly lower hourly pay with benefits, while others prefer higher pay without benefits—a decision that can significantly affect their overall compensation package. As such, understanding the local market is crucial for hourly welders seeking to negotiate better pay in Augusta, GA.
More salary data for Augusta, 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 Augusta. 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