Welder Hourly Pay in Oneonta, NY: $26.31 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Oneonta, NY runs $26.31 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $54,727 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Oneonta's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.9, 16% above national), each hour of work buys what $22.70 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,834 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Oneonta, NY, the welder hourly rate is projected to be $26.31 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $26.87. This wage is significant for both part-time workers and those in per-diem positions, typically found in environments like fabrication shops or pipeline construction sites. Welders working three days a week can expect to earn around $1,587 taking into account their possible reduced schedule, whereas those in full-time roles continue to leverage their skills for sustained employment. The hourly range for welders in the area runs from $21.21 for entry-level positions to $35.98 for the most experienced, reflecting the varied skill set required across different welding jobs, such as structural, pipeline, or specialized fabrication.
About the Oneonta 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) | $21.21 | $169.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.07 | $192.59 |
| Median (P50) | $26.31 | $210.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.21 | $241.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.98 | $287.84 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Oneonta
Based on $26.31/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.31/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Oneonta, NY can expect to earn approximately $54,724 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,571. With a cost-of-living index of 115.90 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Oneonta.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Oneonta
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,052.38 | $4,560 | $54,724 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $631.43 | $2,736 | $32,834 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $420.95 | $1,824 | $21,889 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Oneonta) | $26.31 |
| 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 Oneonta, NY earn a median of $54,727 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.09% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 6.70% below the New York state average of $58,657.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.31/hr = $32,834/year (purchasing power: $28,330).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $54,724/year (purchasing power: $47,216).
CoL index: 115.9 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$20.00/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.30/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.31/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Oneonta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.00/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.80/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.13/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.38/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.04/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.24/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.30/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.31/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.36/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Oneonta grew 26.5% from $20.00/hr (2019) to $25.30/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.36/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 Oneonta 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 Oneonta
The dynamics of welder pay in Oneonta extend beyond the base hourly rate. Part-time welders working 24 hours a week can bring home approximately $20,828 annually, while full-timers benefit from higher overall earnings. For welders on per-diem assignments, payouts fluctuate significantly; traveling pipe welders may receive $80 to $175 daily in addition to their hourly base of $40 to $70. Various employer types influence compensation, with refinery turnaround projects offering $50 to $80 per hour, bolstered by potential double-time on weekends. Those in aerospace and defense sectors, as well as underwater welders, can command premium rates, sometimes upwards of $1,000 a day during peak seasons. Moreover, negotiations often hinge on the balance between lower hourly wages that provide health insurance benefits and higher wages that leave individuals to secure their own coverage. For welders seeking work in Oneonta, understanding how these factors affect pay can lead to more informed decisions regarding job opportunities.
More salary data for Oneonta, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for welders in Oneonta in 2026?
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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 Oneonta. 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 Oneonta 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