Welder Hourly Pay in North Bergen, NJ: $30.02 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in North Bergen, NJ runs $30.02 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,444 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against North Bergen's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $26.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,467 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, welders in North Bergen, NJ, can expect a median hourly pay of $30.02, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $26.87. This competitive rate is advantageous for both part-time and per-diem workers, particularly in settings like fabrication shops, pipeline welding stations, and shipyards, where flexibility is key. Welders working a part-time schedule of three days a week may earn approximately $720 weekly, translating to an annual income that could support a comfortable lifestyle in a region with a cost of living index of 115.2. Entry-level welders can find hourly wages starting at $22.24, while top earners in specialized fields could command rates up to $42.80. The prospects for welders in North Bergen reflect not only the demand for skilled labor but also the specialized certifications, such as AWS and NQA-1, that can significantly impact pay scales.
About the North Bergen Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.24 | $177.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.50 | $203.99 |
| Median (P50) | $30.02 | $240.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.12 | $280.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.80 | $342.42 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in North Bergen
Based on $30.02/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.02/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in North Bergen, NJ can expect to earn approximately $62,446 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,026. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in North Bergen.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in North Bergen
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,200.88 | $5,204 | $62,446 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $720.53 | $3,122 | $37,467 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $480.35 | $2,082 | $24,978 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (North Bergen) | $30.02 |
| 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 North Bergen, NJ earn a median of $62,444 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.72% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 3.00% below the New Jersey state average of $64,375.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.02/hr = $37,467/year (purchasing power: $32,524).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,446/year (purchasing power: $54,206).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$22.82/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.87/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.02/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in North Bergen (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.82/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.74/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.53/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.29/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.23/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.87/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.02/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.22/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in North Bergen grew 26.5% from $22.82/hr (2019) to $28.87/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.22/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 North Bergen 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 North Bergen
When considering part-time work versus full-time positions, a welder working three days a week could earn nearly $37,440 annually, while full-time welders would see their income rise substantially. The per diem landscape in North Bergen reveals varied earnings for traveling welders, who often receive $80-$175 daily in addition to their base pay, typically ranging from $40-$70/hr. In times of refinery shutdowns, welders may earn even more, with rates hitting $50-$80/hr and potential double-time on weekends. Meanwhile, underwater welders can secure daily pay of $1,000-$3,000, capitalizing on seasonal opportunities. Employers in North Bergen cover a wide spectrum, from structural steel fabrication and petrochemical welders to those in aerospace, which can lead to significant variations in compensation. Welders must weigh the trade-offs of higher hourly rates without benefits against those offering health insurance. As negotiations unfold, being informed about the local payment structures, benefits packages, and specialized skills can lead to better outcomes in securing favorable welder hourly pay in North Bergen.
More salary data for North Bergen, NJ:
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 North Bergen. 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 North Bergen 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