Welder Hourly Pay in Dunwoody, GA: $23.24 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Dunwoody, GA runs $23.24 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,337 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Dunwoody's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.1, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.96 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,006 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Dunwoody, Georgia, the welder hourly pay is estimated to be $23.24, which is notably lower than the national median of $26.87. This hourly rate reflects the various settings in which welders operate, including fabrication shops, pipeline welding stations, and manufacturing production cells. For part-time welders working three days a week, this translates to a substantial income, especially for those who are also taking on per-diem projects. Entry-level positions start at around $17.19 per hour, while experienced welders can earn as much as $33.15 per hour, highlighting the potential for upward mobility in this trade. These figures are drawn from the projected data based on 2025 BLS data, illustrating a growing demand for skilled welders in the area.
About the Dunwoody 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) | $17.19 | $137.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.72 | $157.73 |
| Median (P50) | $23.24 | $185.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.12 | $216.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $33.15 | $265.22 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Dunwoody
Based on $23.24/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.24/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Dunwoody, GA can expect to earn approximately $48,343 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,890. With a cost-of-living index of 93.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Dunwoody.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Dunwoody
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $929.67 | $4,029 | $48,343 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $557.80 | $2,417 | $29,006 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $371.87 | $1,611 | $19,337 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Dunwoody) | $23.24 |
| 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 Dunwoody, GA earn a median of $48,337 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.52% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 3.10% below the Georgia state average of $49,883.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.24/hr = $29,006/year (purchasing power: $31,155).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,343/year (purchasing power: $51,926).
CoL index: 93.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.67/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.35/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.24/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Dunwoody (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.67/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.37/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.55/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.77/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.35/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.82/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.35/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.24/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.17/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Dunwoody grew 26.5% from $17.67/hr (2019) to $22.35/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.17/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 Dunwoody 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 Dunwoody
Welders in Dunwoody who choose to work part-time can accumulate earnings that differ significantly from full-time counterparts. For instance, a welder working 24 hours a week may expect to take home approximately $29,000 annually, in stark contrast to full-time positions that provide more stable, continuous income. Additionally, the per diem welder pay in Dunwoody can be quite lucrative, often providing daily rates between $80 and $175 alongside base hourly wages of $40 to $70. Specialized roles, such as those involved in refinery turnarounds, offer even higher compensation, with rates reaching up to $80 per hour plus extra pay on weekends. Various employers play a role in how hourly wages are structured—structural steel fabrication shops and oil and gas pipeline welders might offer differing rates due to the nature of their projects and labor demand. When negotiating pay, welders should weigh the benefits of hourly wage versus additional perks like health insurance. Understanding the nuances of these options can help workers secure the most advantageous compensation for their skills and experience in Dunwoody's welding market.
More salary data for Dunwoody, 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 Dunwoody. 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 Dunwoody 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