Welder Hourly Pay in Olive Branch, MS: $21.79 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Olive Branch, MS runs $21.79 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $45,322 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Olive Branch's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.7, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.42 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,189 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Olive Branch, Mississippi, the welder hourly pay is projected to be $21.79 in 2026, which falls significantly below the national median of $26.87. This discrepancy suggests that welders in Olive Branch may find their earnings less competitive compared to their peers nationwide. For part-time welders working three days a week, the earnings model allows for a take-home range that could be beneficial for those balancing other commitments. The hourly rate can vary widely, ranging from $16.49 at the entry level to as much as $30.01 for top earners in the field. Entry-level welders typically begin in settings like fabrication shops or manufacturing production cells, while seasoned professionals might work on specialized projects such as pipeline trench welding or in high-demand environments like shipyards.
About the Olive Branch Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.49 | $131.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.17 | $153.32 |
| Median (P50) | $21.79 | $174.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.44 | $203.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.01 | $240.09 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Olive Branch
Based on $21.79/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.79/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Olive Branch, MS can expect to earn approximately $45,315 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,143. With a cost-of-living index of 85.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Olive Branch.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Olive Branch
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $871.44 | $3,776 | $45,315 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $522.86 | $2,266 | $27,189 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $348.57 | $1,510 | $18,126 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Olive Branch) | $21.79 |
| 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 Olive Branch, MS earn a median of $45,322 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.92% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 5.40% below the Mississippi state average of $47,909.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.79/hr = $27,189/year (purchasing power: $31,726).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $45,315/year (purchasing power: $52,876).
CoL index: 85.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$16.56/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.95/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.79/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Olive Branch (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.56/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.22/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.32/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.53/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.08/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.15/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.95/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.79/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.66/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Olive Branch grew 26.5% from $16.56/hr (2019) to $20.95/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.66/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 Olive Branch 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 Olive Branch
Turning to the financial realities of the profession, part-time welders working 24 hours weekly may realize an annual income that, while modest, still provides flexibility. In some cases, the per diem welder pay in Olive Branch could significantly increase earnings, especially for traveling welders who may see base rates of $40-$70 per hour, with additional per diem compensation ranging from $80 to $175 daily. Welders involved in refinery turnarounds often see rates of $50-$80 per hour, and owner-operators can bill between $90 and $160. There are various factors that influence hourly rates, including employer types—structural steel shops, nuclear power facilities, and even agencies putting welders on temporary projects. When considering job offers, welders must weigh the benefits of higher hourly wages against the perks of health insurance and job security that some employers provide. Negotiation strategies might center on emphasizing skills and certifications, such as AWS or 6G readiness, to secure better pay in a tight market.
More salary data for Olive Branch, MS:
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 Olive Branch. 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 Olive Branch 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