Welder Hourly Pay in New Orleans, LA: $31.63 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in New Orleans, LA runs $31.63 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,794 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against New Orleans's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.6, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.16 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,479 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In New Orleans, the welder hourly pay stands at a median rate of $31.63, which is significantly higher than the national median of $26.87. This localized wage offers appealing prospects for both full-time and part-time professionals. For instance, a welder working part-time, around three days a week, can earn substantial income without committing to a full schedule. The hourly pay varies widely, from $22.76 for entry-level positions to $41.29 for seasoned experts. Such earnings are particularly relevant in various typical settings, including fabrication shops, pipeline welding sites, and shipyards, where either project-based or per-diem work is common. This information is backed by official BLS hourly data, showcasing New Orleans as an attractive market for welders in LA.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.76 | $182.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.73 | $221.87 |
| Median (P50) | $31.63 | $253.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.17 | $313.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.29 | $330.36 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in New Orleans
Based on $31.63/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.63/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in New Orleans, LA can expect to earn approximately $65,798 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,961. With a cost-of-living index of 92.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in New Orleans.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in New Orleans
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,265.35 | $5,483 | $65,798 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $759.21 | $3,290 | $39,479 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $506.14 | $2,193 | $26,319 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (New Orleans) | $31.63 |
| 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 Orleans, LA earn a median of $65,794 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.71% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 2.00% above the Louisiana state average of $64,504.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.63/hr = $39,479/year (purchasing power: $42,635).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,798/year (purchasing power: $71,059).
CoL index: 92.597 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.89/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.42/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.63/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+32.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in New Orleans (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.89/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.19/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.83/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.47/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.68/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.13/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.42/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.63/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.90/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in New Orleans grew 22.2% from $24.89/hr (2019) to $30.42/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.90/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 Orleans 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 Orleans
Considering part-time work structures, a welder putting in 24 hours a week could potentially earn an annual income significantly lower than full-time counterparts, averaging around $39,000, based on a part-time hourly schedule. On the other hand, per-diem assignments provide a lucrative opportunity to supplement income. For instance, traveling pipe welders often see additional per diem rates ranging from $80 to $175 daily on top of their $40 to $70 hourly wages. Particularly during refinery turnarounds, welders can command between $50 and $80 per hour, with potential double-time during weekends. Different sectors like construction, oil and gas, and aerospace can also influence wage variations in New Orleans. Moreover, seasoned welders must often weigh the benefits of health insurance and stable employment against the higher pay rates of freelance work, along with essential negotiation strategies suited to the local industry climate for significant career advancement.
More salary data for New Orleans, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for welders in New Orleans in 2026?
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Related Pages
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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 Orleans. 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