Welder Hourly Pay in Lawrence, IN: $23.72 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Lawrence, IN runs $23.72 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,335 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Lawrence's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.3, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.98 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,603 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lawrence, Indiana, the welder hourly pay stands at $23.72, which is notably lower than the national median of $26.87. This discrepancy suggests that welders in the area may have to carefully consider their working hours for part-time arrangements, such as working three days a week. With a typical schedule, a part-time welder could expect to earn approximately $1,139 biweekly or around $29,620 annually, a stark contrast to full-timers who earn proportionately more. The hourly pay range in Lawrence stretches from $18.39 for entry-level positions to as high as $34.00 for seasoned professionals, revealing opportunities to grow one's earnings significantly through experience and skills development, especially in demanding specialties like pipeline or underwater welding.
About the Lawrence 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) | $18.39 | $147.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.17 | $169.38 |
| Median (P50) | $23.72 | $189.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.99 | $223.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.00 | $272.04 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lawrence
Based on $23.72/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.72/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lawrence, IN can expect to earn approximately $49,338 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,464. With a cost-of-living index of 91.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lawrence.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lawrence
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $948.80 | $4,111 | $49,338 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $569.28 | $2,467 | $29,603 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $379.52 | $1,645 | $19,735 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Lawrence) | $23.72 |
| 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 Lawrence, IN earn a median of $49,335 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.74% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 4.30% below the Indiana state average of $51,552.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.72/hr = $29,603/year (purchasing power: $32,424).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,338/year (purchasing power: $54,039).
CoL index: 91.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.03/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.81/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.72/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Lawrence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.03/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.75/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.95/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.17/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.77/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.84/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.81/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.72/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.67/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Lawrence grew 26.5% from $18.03/hr (2019) to $22.81/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.67/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 Lawrence 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 Lawrence
Part-time laborers and those in per-diem positions within the welding field may experience different financial dynamics compared to full-time welders. Traveling pipe welders, for instance, often secure base rates of $40 to $70 per hour, augmented by lucrative per-diem payments that can range from $80 to $175 daily, enhancing their overall compensation. In addition, during turnaround projects at refineries, welders can command even more, typically between $50 and $80 per hour, plus premium rates on weekends. The economic landscape of Lawrence offers varied opportunities across welding sectors, from shipyards to manufacturing plants, creating unique rhythms of pay based on employer types. For instance, rig welders who own their equipment can bill between $90 and $160 per hour, providing a significant income potential, although some choose lower hourly wages for jobs that include health benefits. Understanding these hourly variances allows welders to negotiate effectively; emphasizing skills certifications such as AWS and the 6G pipe credential can also provide leverage in securing better pay structures in the local market.
More salary data for Lawrence, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for welders in Lawrence in 2026?
How much do part-time welders make in Lawrence?
Are welders in Lawrence paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time welder make per year in Lawrence?
Do welders earn more per hour working part-time in Lawrence?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Indiana
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 Lawrence. 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 Lawrence 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