Welder Hourly Pay in New Albany, IN: $23.93 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in New Albany, IN runs $23.93 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,779 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against New Albany's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.3, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.21 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,862 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Welders in New Albany, Indiana, earn a median hourly pay of $23.93. This figure is below the national hourly median of $26.87, indicating a difference that may affect potential workers' decisions. For part-time positions, working three days a week, welders could expect to take home a significant yet lower income than their full-time counterparts, as earnings depend heavily on hours worked. The typical hourly range spans from $18.07 for entry-level positions to $33.88 for more experienced welders in this area. These rates are derived from projected annual salary data, reflecting the various work environments that welders operate in, such as fabrication shops, pipeline welding stations, and shipyard facilities. The welder hourly pay in New Albany takes into account both the regional cost of living and the prevailing market trends, making it crucial for job seekers to understand these dynamics.
About the New Albany 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) | $18.07 | $144.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.09 | $168.71 |
| Median (P50) | $23.93 | $191.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.97 | $223.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $33.88 | $271.04 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in New Albany
Based on $23.93/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.93/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in New Albany, IN can expect to earn approximately $49,770 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,714. With a cost-of-living index of 91.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in New Albany.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in New Albany
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $957.12 | $4,148 | $49,770 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $574.27 | $2,489 | $29,862 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $382.85 | $1,659 | $19,908 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (New Albany) | $23.93 |
| 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 New Albany, IN earn a median of $49,779 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.94% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 3.50% below the Indiana state average of $51,584.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.93/hr = $29,862/year (purchasing power: $32,708).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,770/year (purchasing power: $54,513).
CoL index: 91.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.19/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.01/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.93/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in New Albany (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.19/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.92/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.12/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.35/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.95/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.03/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.01/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.93/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.88/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in New Albany grew 26.5% from $18.19/hr (2019) to $23.01/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.88/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 New Albany 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 New Albany
For those considering part-time work, a welder putting in a 24-hour week would earn around $29,032 annually, compared to a full-time worker, who can expect substantially more based on standard 40-hour week calculations. The demand for per diem welders also shapes the market, especially for those willing to travel. For example, traveling pipe welders often enjoy rates of $40-$70 per hour with additional per diem compensation ranging from $80 to $175 daily, making those roles financially attractive. In specialty sectors like refinery maintenance or underwater welding, rates can soar even higher, with some earning up to $3,000 per day. It’s essential to note the salary disparities based on employer type in New Albany, where structural fabrication shops and oil pipeline projects might offer contrasting pay scales. Welders weighing their options should also consider the benefits offered, such as health insurance versus hourly rates, which can vary significantly and affect total compensation. Practical negotiation skills are vital for welders in New Albany to ensure they secure competitive rates, especially in a market with growing demand due to an aging workforce contributing to the ongoing skills gap.
More salary data for New Albany, 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 New Albany. 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 New Albany 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