Welder Hourly Pay in Bethesda, MD: $28.37 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Bethesda, MD runs $28.37 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,009 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Bethesda's regional price level (BEA RPP 109.3, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $25.95 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,404 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Welder hourly pay in Bethesda, Maryland, is projected to reach a median rate of $28.37 in 2026, which exceeds the national median of $26.87. This competitive hourly rate allows for significant earnings potential, especially for part-time welders working three days a week who may find themselves consistently earning above average in fabrication shop production lines or mobile rig setups. The hourly pay range spans from $20.73 at the entry-level up to $41.34 for top earners, showcasing the varied opportunities within environments like pipeline trench welding stations or shipyard hull welding bays. While these figures are derived from annual salary data, the hourly framework provides a valuable perspective for contractors and freelancers alike, who often prefer flexible schedules to capitalize on per diem opportunities in specific regions.
About the Bethesda Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.73 | $165.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.58 | $196.67 |
| Median (P50) | $28.37 | $226.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.63 | $269.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.34 | $330.69 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bethesda
Based on $28.37/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.37/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bethesda, MD can expect to earn approximately $59,006 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,042. With a cost-of-living index of 109.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bethesda.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bethesda
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,134.74 | $4,917 | $59,006 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $680.84 | $2,950 | $35,404 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $453.90 | $1,967 | $23,603 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Bethesda) | $28.37 |
| 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 Bethesda, MD earn a median of $59,009 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.57% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 3.40% below the Maryland state average of $61,086.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.37/hr = $35,404/year (purchasing power: $32,391).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,006/year (purchasing power: $53,986).
CoL index: 109.3 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$21.57/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.28/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.37/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Bethesda (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.57/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.43/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.86/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.13/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.84/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.44/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.28/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.37/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.50/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Bethesda grew 26.5% from $21.57/hr (2019) to $27.28/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.50/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 Bethesda 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 Bethesda
Part-time welders in Bethesda can expect to take home substantial earnings, with a 24-hour workweek translating to approximately $35,000 annually, contrasting sharply with full-time welders' incomes. The per diem welder pay in Bethesda, particularly for traveling professionals, typically ranges from $80 to $175 per day, augmenting base hourly wages that vary considerably by sector—ranging from $40 to $70 per hour for skilled pipeline projects. During busier shut down periods in refinery turnarounds, some welders earn between $50 and $80 per hour, often with incentives for overtime. Factors such as employer type influence hourly compensation; structural steel shops may offer less than sectors like aerospace or nuclear maintenance, where niche certifications like NQA-1 could warrant a premium. Welders in Bethesda negotiating their hourly pay should weigh benefits against rates, acknowledging that positions offering health insurance may come with lower hourly wages compared to those on a purely contractual basis. Understanding these nuances can be crucial in making informed employment decisions.
More salary data for Bethesda, MD:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Bethesda. 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 Bethesda 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