Welder Hourly Pay in Lake Charles, LA: $36.46 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Lake Charles, LA runs $36.46 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $75,830 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Lake Charles's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.9, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $42.47 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,501 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Welders in Lake Charles, Louisiana, enjoy a competitive median hourly rate of $36.46, significantly higher than the national median of $26.87. This favorable pay scale reflects the area's robust industrial needs, particularly in settings such as fabrication shops, pipeline welding stations, refineries, and shipyards. For part-time welders working three days a week, this rate translates to a solid income that can vary widely depending on skill level and experience, with entry-level positions starting around $25.09 per hour, while top earners can make up to $44.05 per hour. These figures are based on the latest estimates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, showcasing the promising economic landscape for welders in the local market.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.09 | $200.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.76 | $238.10 |
| Median (P50) | $36.46 | $291.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.34 | $306.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.05 | $352.40 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lake Charles
Based on $36.46/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.46/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lake Charles, LA can expect to earn approximately $75,834 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,751. With a cost-of-living index of 85.85 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lake Charles.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lake Charles
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,458.36 | $6,320 | $75,834 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $875.01 | $3,792 | $45,501 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $583.34 | $2,528 | $30,334 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Lake Charles) | $36.46 |
| 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 Lake Charles, LA earn a median of $75,830 per year (2026 est.), which is 35.67% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 17.50% above the Louisiana state average of $64,536.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.46/hr = $45,501/year (purchasing power: $52,999).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $75,834/year (purchasing power: $88,332).
CoL index: 85.852 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.72/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.06/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.46/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Lake Charles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.72/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.40/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.62/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.15/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.11/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.66/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.06/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.46/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.91/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Lake Charles grew 26.5% from $27.72/hr (2019) to $35.06/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.91/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 Lake Charles 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 Lake Charles
Beyond standard hourly wages, the potential for part-time welders in Lake Charles to garner a respectable annual income is noteworthy. Working just 24 hours a week, they could bring home around $45,798, while those opting for per-diem roles could enhance their earnings even further. Traveling welders often benefit from generous daily allowances ranging from $80 to $175 in addition to hourly pay, which can reach between $40 and $70. Welders engaged in refinery shutdowns might see their rates increase to as much as $80 per hour with overtime opportunities on weekends. Furthermore, self-employed rig welders, especially those possessing 6G certifications, can bill between $90 and $160 per hour. While some welders choose to prioritize benefits and steady employment over higher hourly rates, effective negotiation skills remain crucial for maximizing earnings in this evolving marketplace.
More salary data for Lake Charles, LA:
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 Lake Charles. 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, 6-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