Welder Hourly Pay in Rome, GA: $21.14 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Rome, GA runs $21.14 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $43,967 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Rome's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.2, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.45 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $26,384 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rome, GA, the welder hourly pay is projected to be $21.14 in 2026, significantly lower than the national median of $26.87. This difference can impact part-time welders who work three days per week, as they’ll earn approximately $1,616 monthly if they complete a typical 24-hour week. Those working in fabrication shops, pipeline setups, or shipyards can expect to see a range from $19.15 at the lower end to $28.48 for top earners, reflecting varying skill levels and job demands. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS projections, provides a clear picture of the financial landscape for welders in Rome, GA, where workers in specialized roles may benefit from enhanced earning potential based on their certifications and experiences.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.15 | $153.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.84 | $158.73 |
| Median (P50) | $21.14 | $169.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.46 | $187.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.48 | $227.86 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rome
Based on $21.14/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.14/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rome, GA can expect to earn approximately $43,974 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $25,369. With a cost-of-living index of 90.16 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rome.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rome
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $845.65 | $3,664 | $43,974 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $507.39 | $2,199 | $26,384 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $338.26 | $1,466 | $17,589 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Rome) | $21.14 |
| 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 Rome, GA earn a median of $43,967 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.34% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 11.90% below the Georgia state average of $49,906.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.14/hr = $26,384/year (purchasing power: $29,263).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $43,974/year (purchasing power: $48,772).
CoL index: 90.161 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.13/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.33/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.14/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Rome (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.13/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.44/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.32/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.60/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.11/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.48/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.33/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.14/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.98/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Rome grew 12.1% from $18.13/hr (2019) to $20.33/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.98/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 Rome 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 Rome
When considering the financial realities of welding in Rome, part-time workers earning $21.14 per hour can expect an annual take-home of roughly $19,392, which is quite different from what full-time employees might accumulate. Welders accepting per-diem roles or traveling jobs typically earn $80-$175 a day on top of their base rate, leading to lucrative earnings that can significantly surpass standard hourly rates. For instance, refinery turnaround welders can earn between $50-$80 per hour, and those with specialized skills like underwater welding may command $1,000-$3,000 per day during peak seasons. In Rome, variations also emerge based on employer types, from structural fabrication shops to nuclear power maintenance. Some welders may accept lower hourly pay in exchange for benefits like healthcare, while negotiating positions can lead to better compensation in the self-employed sector where rig welders often bill between $90-$160 per hour. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for welders in Rome, particularly for those aiming to maximize their earning potential within the industry.
More salary data for Rome, 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 Rome. 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