Welder Hourly Pay in Valdosta, GA: $23.62 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Valdosta, GA runs $23.62 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,125 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Valdosta's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.3, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.75 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,473 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the welder hourly pay in Valdosta, Georgia is projected to be $23.62, which falls below the national median hourly rate of $26.87. This figure has implications for welders working in various environments such as fabrication shops, pipeline trench welding stations, and refinery turnaround setups. Welders typically work in diverse roles that can range from part-time positions to per-diem jobs where they earn a base hourly rate supplemented by daily allowances. The hourly pay range for welders in Valdosta spans from $19.23 for entry-level positions to $30.59 for those at the 90th percentile, reflecting the experience and specific skills of the workers. BLS data provides this snapshot, indicating a competitive yet challenging market for welders in the region.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.23 | $153.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.23 | $153.82 |
| Median (P50) | $23.62 | $188.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.63 | $237.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.59 | $244.75 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Valdosta
Based on $23.62/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.62/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Valdosta, GA can expect to earn approximately $49,122 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,339. With a cost-of-living index of 88.27 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Valdosta.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Valdosta
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $944.65 | $4,093 | $49,122 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $566.79 | $2,456 | $29,473 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $377.86 | $1,637 | $19,649 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Valdosta) | $23.62 |
| 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 Valdosta, GA earn a median of $49,125 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.11% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 1.50% below the Georgia state average of $49,873.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.62/hr = $29,473/year (purchasing power: $33,389).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,122/year (purchasing power: $55,649).
CoL index: 88.271 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.11/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.71/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.62/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Valdosta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.11/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.07/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.77/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.86/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.10/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.99/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.71/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.62/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.56/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Valdosta grew 12.9% from $20.11/hr (2019) to $22.71/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.56/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 Valdosta 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 Valdosta
For part-time welders in Valdosta, working three days a week at a 24-hour schedule could translate to an annual income significantly different from their full-time counterparts. Many welders opt for per-diem arrangements, especially in high-demand fields like pipeline welding, where they can earn between $40-$70 per hour and receive daily allowances ranging from $80 to $175. During major refinery shutdowns, wages can spike to $50-$80 per hour, often doubling for weekend shifts. Various sectors such as shipbuilding or aerospace may offer different pay scales, leading some welders to prioritize jobs with benefits over hourly rates. Practical negotiation is key; welders may want to factor in health care and retirement contributions when evaluating offers. Understanding the local market dynamics and employer types in Valdosta can empower welders to secure better opportunities and compensate adequately for their skills.
More salary data for Valdosta, 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 Valdosta. 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