Welder Hourly Pay in Anderson, IN: $24.23 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Anderson, IN runs $24.23 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,406 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Anderson's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.3, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.54 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,239 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, welders in Anderson, Indiana, are expected to earn a median hourly rate of $24.23, which is notably lower than the national median of $26.87. This discrepancy reflects the local economy's position, where welding jobs commonly occur in fabrication shops, pipeline welding stations, and various industrial settings. Welders may earn between $18.26 and $35.88 per hour, allowing for diverse employment opportunities from entry-level positions to those held by highly skilled veterans. Part-time and per-diem workers in this field have the potential to earn a steady income by working three days a week or accepting temporary contracts, taking advantage of the consistent demand in Anderson's welding sector.
About the Anderson Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.26 | $146.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.34 | $170.71 |
| Median (P50) | $24.23 | $193.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.07 | $232.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.88 | $287.01 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Anderson
Based on $24.23/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.23/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Anderson, IN can expect to earn approximately $50,398 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,076. With a cost-of-living index of 91.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Anderson.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Anderson
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $969.19 | $4,200 | $50,398 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $581.51 | $2,520 | $30,239 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $387.67 | $1,680 | $20,159 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Anderson) | $24.23 |
| 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 Anderson, IN earn a median of $50,406 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.82% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 2.30% below the Indiana state average of $51,593.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.23/hr = $30,239/year (purchasing power: $33,120).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,398/year (purchasing power: $55,200).
CoL index: 91.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.42/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.30/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.23/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Anderson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.42/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.16/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.38/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.61/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.21/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.31/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.30/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.23/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.20/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Anderson grew 26.5% from $18.42/hr (2019) to $23.30/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.20/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 Anderson 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 Anderson
Part-time welders working 24 hours a week can expect a gross annual income significantly lower than their full-time counterparts, though they can still earn a reasonable living, given the local cost of living index of 91.3. Per diem and traveling opportunities enhance earnings; welders in roles such as refinery turnaround or those on location can charge $50-$80 an hour during shutdowns and receive substantial daily per diem rates. Most welding disciplines like structural steel fabrication or production welding will pay hourly salaries within the local range, yet specific sectors such as underwater welding or rig welding can attract premium rates of $90-$160/hour. For some, accepting a lower rate may come with benefits such as health insurance, while others might pursue higher hourly rates without the safety net of benefits. Those working in Anderson should consider the trade-offs and negotiate pay based on their certifications and experience, especially for specialized roles aligned with AWS or similar standards.
More salary data for Anderson, IN:
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 Anderson. 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 Anderson 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