Welder Hourly Pay in Cartersville, GA: $22.85 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Cartersville, GA runs $22.85 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,515 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Cartersville's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.1, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.54 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,513 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the welder hourly rate in Cartersville, GA, is projected to be $22.85, which is notably lower than the national median of $26.87 per hour. For those working part-time, such as on a three-day-per-week schedule, this rate translates to approximately $1,096 weekly, or about $57,000 annually for full-time positions. The overall hourly range for welders in Cartersville stretches from $17.38 at the lower end (around the 10th percentile) to $29.97 at the higher end (90th percentile). These figures represent estimates based on annual salary projections, making them relevant to various settings, including fabrication shops, pipeline welding sites, and manufacturing floors, where workers may also engage in per-diem work. Entry-level welders can expect to start at a lower figure, while seasoned professionals in specific fields, such as structural steel or refinery work, can command higher rates.
About the Cartersville Market
Salary estimated from Georgia average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.38 | $139.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.07 | $160.56 |
| Median (P50) | $22.85 | $182.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.45 | $203.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.97 | $239.76 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cartersville
Based on $22.85/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.85/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cartersville, GA can expect to earn approximately $47,521 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,416. With a cost-of-living index of 93.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cartersville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cartersville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $913.86 | $3,960 | $47,521 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $548.32 | $2,376 | $28,513 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $365.55 | $1,584 | $19,008 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Cartersville) | $22.85 |
| 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 Cartersville, GA earn a median of $47,515 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.99% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 4.70% below the Georgia state average of $49,858.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.85/hr = $28,513/year (purchasing power: $30,626).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,521/year (purchasing power: $51,043).
CoL index: 93.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.37/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.97/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.85/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Cartersville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.37/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.06/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.22/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.43/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.00/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.46/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.97/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.85/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.76/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Cartersville grew 26.5% from $17.37/hr (2019) to $21.97/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.76/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 Cartersville 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 Cartersville
The reality of working as a welder in Cartersville varies significantly based on employment type and sector. Part-time welders working 24 hours per week might take home around $28,000 annually, contrasting sharply with full-time income potential. Traveling welders often benefit from additional per diem compensation, which can range from $80 to $175 daily, substantially increasing their earnings when working for oil and gas pipeline projects or during refinery turnaround operations, where rates may exceed $50 to $80 per hour, with overtime premiums on weekends making pay even more attractive. Specializations like rig welding or underwater welding come with their own elevated pay scales, offering $90-$160 per hour or even upwards of $1,000 daily underwater. Employers across diverse fields in Cartersville, from construction to aerospace, have different pay structures, prompting welders to consider benefits versus higher hourly wages. Negotiating pay requires awareness of local industry trends, leveraging skills certifications such as those from AWS and understanding the local market for optimal outcomes, particularly as the welding workforce ages and demand grows.
More salary data for Cartersville, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Cartersville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Cartersville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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