Welder Hourly Pay in North Tonawanda, NY: $26.92 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in North Tonawanda, NY runs $26.92 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,010 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against North Tonawanda's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.9, 16% above national), each hour of work buys what $23.23 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,600 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In North Tonawanda, NY, the projected welder hourly pay in 2026 is set at $26.92, slightly above the national median of $26.87. This wage translates into various opportunities for both part-time workers and those engaged in per-diem roles. Welders typically operate in diverse settings such as fabrication shops, where they might work on production lines, or in pipeline trench welding stations. For those employed part-time, working three days a week would yield approximately $1,000 in income, assuming a 24-hour work week, positioning them well within the local wage context. Entry-level positions can expect to earn around $20.77 per hour, while experienced welders and those in specialized roles can command up to $38.46, clearly delineating the earning potential for different levels of expertise in this thriving region.
About the North Tonawanda Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.77 | $166.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.99 | $191.92 |
| Median (P50) | $26.92 | $215.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.75 | $253.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.46 | $307.64 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in North Tonawanda
Based on $26.92/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.92/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in North Tonawanda, NY can expect to earn approximately $56,000 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,308. With a cost-of-living index of 115.90 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in North Tonawanda.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in North Tonawanda
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,076.92 | $4,667 | $56,000 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $646.15 | $2,800 | $33,600 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $430.77 | $1,867 | $22,400 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (North Tonawanda) | $26.92 |
| 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 Tonawanda, NY earn a median of $56,010 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.21% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 4.50% below the New York state average of $58,649.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.92/hr = $33,600/year (purchasing power: $28,990).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,000/year (purchasing power: $48,317).
CoL index: 115.9 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$20.47/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.89/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.92/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in North Tonawanda (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.47/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.29/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.64/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.90/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.57/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.99/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.89/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.92/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.00/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in North Tonawanda grew 26.5% from $20.47/hr (2019) to $25.89/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.00/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 Tonawanda 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 Tonawanda
To grasp the earning potential, part-time welders in North Tonawanda bringing in $26.92 per hour would earn around $52,000 annually if they worked full-time, yet their three-day work schedule could yield a significantly lower annual income. Meanwhile, per-diem welders often augment their base wages with additional daily allowances that can range between $80 and $175, enhancing their overall compensation. For example, traveling pipe welders might earn $40-$70 per hour, alongside substantial per diem pay. Certain high-demand specializations, like underwater welding, present exceptional earning opportunities—ranging from $1,000 to over $3,000 daily. In North Tonawanda, variations in hourly rates can arise from the type of employer, whether it's a structural steel fabrication shop, nuclear power plant maintenance, or self-employed mobile welding setups. Some welders may opt for lower hourly rates to secure health benefits, while others will prioritize higher hourly wages when negotiating. Potential welders should consider the trade-offs carefully, positioning themselves strategically in the job market to optimize their welding careers.
More salary data for North Tonawanda, NY:
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 Tonawanda. 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 Tonawanda 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