Welder Hourly Pay in Smyrna, GA: $23.21 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Smyrna, GA runs $23.21 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,285 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Smyrna's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.1, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.93 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,967 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Smyrna, Georgia, the welder hourly pay is projected to be around $23.21 in 2026. This rate falls below the national median of $26.87, which may influence the earnings of part-time and per-diem workers operating in various settings, from fabrication shop production lines to mobile welding rigs. A basic analysis of the hourly range shows that entry-level welders can expect to earn about $17.14, while more experienced professionals may reach rates as high as $33.01. This range reflects the diverse nature of welding jobs, which include tasks in environments like pipeline trench welding stations and shipyard hull welding bays. For those assessing hourly work in Smyrna, it's essential to understand how these estimated figures correlate to overall earnings in the industry and how they fit within the broader context of welder hourly rates in Georgia.
About the Smyrna 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) | $17.14 | $137.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.17 | $161.39 |
| Median (P50) | $23.21 | $185.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.10 | $216.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $33.01 | $264.05 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Smyrna
Based on $23.21/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.21/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Smyrna, 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 93.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Smyrna.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Smyrna
| 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 (Smyrna) | $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 Smyrna, GA earn a median of $48,285 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.61% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 3.20% below the Georgia state average of $49,881.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.21/hr = $28,967/year (purchasing power: $31,114).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,278/year (purchasing power: $51,856).
CoL index: 93.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.64/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.32/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.21/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Smyrna (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.64/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.35/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.52/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.74/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.32/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.80/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 Smyrna grew 26.5% from $17.64/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 Smyrna 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 Smyrna
Examining the part-time potential for welders in Smyrna provides an insightful perspective on earnings. For instance, a welder working three 8-hour days a week at the median hourly rate would take home approximately $28,785 annually, while full-time welders could earn a much higher total based on consistent 40-hour weeks. The reality for per-diem welders can be significantly different; traveling pipe welders can command rates of $40-$70/hr, with additional per diem compensation ranging from $80-$175 daily. Shutdown projects in refineries may pay $50-$80/hr, including the possibility of earning double-time on weekends. Additionally, employers can vary dramatically in terms of wage offerings; structural steel fabrication shops generally provide steadier hourly rates while pipeline welding and specialty fields like underwater welding often yield much higher incomes but come with added risks and challenges. The trade-offs between hourly rates and benefits like health insurance become a key consideration for many in the industry, influencing negotiation strategies and overall career choices within the welding profession in Smyrna.
More salary data for Smyrna, 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 Smyrna. 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 Smyrna 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