Welder Hourly Pay in South Bend, IN: $23.83 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in South Bend, IN runs $23.83 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,572 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against South Bend's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.9, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.67 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,745 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In South Bend, welders earn a median hourly rate of $23.83, which sits below the national median hourly rate of $26.87. This pay level can significantly impact part-time employment opportunities for welders. For instance, a professional working three days a week at this rate could find flexible scheduling beneficial in job settings like fabrication shops or pipeline welding stations. The hourly wage varies widely, with the lowest-paid entry-level welders earning around $19.22, while highly specialized welders, especially in sectors like underwater construction or refinery turnarounds, can command rates as high as $32.26. This official Bureau of Labor Statistics data for 2026 highlights South Bend’s economic landscape for welders, providing useful insight into the earning potential and workforce dynamics in the region.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.22 | $153.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.63 | $181.03 |
| Median (P50) | $23.83 | $190.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.01 | $232.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $32.26 | $258.06 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in South Bend
Based on $23.83/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.83/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in South Bend, IN can expect to earn approximately $49,576 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,601. With a cost-of-living index of 92.86 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in South Bend.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in South Bend
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $953.38 | $4,131 | $49,576 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $572.03 | $2,479 | $29,745 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $381.35 | $1,653 | $19,830 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (South Bend) | $23.83 |
| 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 South Bend, IN earn a median of $49,572 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.31% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 3.90% below the Indiana state average of $51,584.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.83/hr = $29,745/year (purchasing power: $32,033).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,576/year (purchasing power: $53,389).
CoL index: 92.858 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.31/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.92/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.83/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in South Bend (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.31/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.36/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.68/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.58/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.97/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.05/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.92/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.83/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.79/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in South Bend grew 12.9% from $20.31/hr (2019) to $22.92/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.79/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 South Bend 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 South Bend
Looking more closely at the opportunities within the industry, part-time welders in South Bend can expect to bring home approximately $29,324 annually if they work a 24-hour week. This contrasts sharply with full-time welders who earn significantly more, demonstrating the benefits and challenges of part-time employment. Additionally, per diem welder pay in South Bend varies widely; traveling pipe welders often secure $80-$175 a day, alongside hourly wages of $40-$70. Those involved in refinery turnarounds may even see pay rates increase to $50-$80 per hour, with opportunities for double-time on weekends. Considering the economic landscape, hourly rates are also influenced by employer types—from structural steel fabrication to aerospace and construction. Given the potential to negotiate for better terms, welders should evaluate the benefits of lower hourly rates that might come with health insurance against the allure of higher pay without benefits. Understanding these nuances is crucial for welders striving to optimize their earnings in South Bend’s evolving market.
More salary data for South Bend, 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 South Bend. 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