Welder Hourly Pay in Macon, GA: $23.21 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Macon, GA runs $23.21 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,272 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Macon's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.5, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.22 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,967 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Macon, GA, the welder hourly pay averages $23.21, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $26.87. This discrepancy can slightly affect part-time welders or per-diem workers, such as those commonly found in fabrication shops, pipeline welding stations, and shipyard environments. Part-time welders operating three days a week may expect to earn around $18.52 at the lower end of the pay scale, while those at the higher end can make up to $32.70 per hour, ensuring a wide range of opportunities based on experience and specialization. The official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data highlights this trend, indicating that employment in roles such as mobile welders and operators in structural steel fabrication can also lead to differing hourly rates.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.52 | $148.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.81 | $158.48 |
| Median (P50) | $23.21 | $185.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $26.81 | $214.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $32.70 | $261.64 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Macon
Based on $23.21/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.21/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Macon, GA can expect to earn approximately $48,278 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,853. With a cost-of-living index of 88.53 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Macon.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Macon
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $928.42 | $4,023 | $48,278 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $557.05 | $2,414 | $28,967 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $371.37 | $1,609 | $19,311 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Macon) | $23.21 |
| 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 Macon, GA earn a median of $48,272 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.64% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 3.20% below the Georgia state average of $49,868.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.21/hr = $28,967/year (purchasing power: $32,720).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,278/year (purchasing power: $54,534).
CoL index: 88.528 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.83/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.32/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.21/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Macon (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.83/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.06/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.43/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.58/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.13/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.60/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.32/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.21/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.14/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Macon grew 18.5% from $18.83/hr (2019) to $22.32/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.14/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 Macon 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 Macon
While the hourly pay for welders in Macon offers a solid foundation, the potential for increased earnings, especially for part-time workers, is significant. A welder working 24 hours a week at $23.21 would earn approximately $28,000 annually, which is considerably less than full-time positions. Traveling pipe welders often enhance their income with per diem arrangements, receiving daily allowances that can range from $80 to $175 while billing at $40 to $70 per hour for specialized work. Refinery turnaround jobs often command higher wages of $50 to $80 an hour, especially during busy periods. Factors such as employer type further influence hourly rates; for example, welders in high-demand sectors like oil and gas or nuclear power maintenance may see different offers. Negotiating hourly rates can depend on whether a welder opts for roles with benefits or seeks higher pay absent of health insurance. Understanding the local market and leveraging technical skills — like 6G certifications — can also create additional opportunities for welders seeking to optimize their hourly earnings.
More salary data for Macon, 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 Macon. 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