Welder Hourly Pay in Schenectady, NY: $29.04 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Schenectady, NY runs $29.04 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,418 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Schenectady's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.9, 16% above national), each hour of work buys what $25.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,247 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Welders in Schenectady, NY, can anticipate a median hourly pay of $29.04, significantly surpassing the national median of $26.87. This competitive hourly rate provides an appealing option for part-time workers, typically engaged three days a week, who can expect to earn about $27,251 annually working 24 hours a week. The hourly compensation also varies across the profession, with entry-level welders starting at around $21.46 per hour and seasoned professionals reaching up to $41.41. Such pay is particularly relevant for those in prevalent work settings like fabrication shops, pipeline welding, or oil refineries. The hourly figures come from estimated annual salary data and reflect current trends in the industry.
About the Schenectady 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) | $21.46 | $171.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.26 | $202.07 |
| Median (P50) | $29.04 | $232.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.52 | $276.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.41 | $331.27 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Schenectady
Based on $29.04/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.04/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Schenectady, NY can expect to earn approximately $60,412 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,853. With a cost-of-living index of 115.90 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Schenectady.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Schenectady
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,161.78 | $5,034 | $60,412 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $697.07 | $3,021 | $36,247 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $464.71 | $2,014 | $24,165 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Schenectady) | $29.04 |
| 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 Schenectady, NY earn a median of $60,418 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.09% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 3.00% above the New York state average of $58,658.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.04/hr = $36,247/year (purchasing power: $31,275).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,412/year (purchasing power: $52,125).
CoL index: 115.9 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$22.08/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.93/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.04/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Schenectady (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.08/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.96/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.43/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.70/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.43/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.46/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.93/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.04/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.20/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Schenectady grew 26.5% from $22.08/hr (2019) to $27.93/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.20/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 Schenectady 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 Schenectady
For those considering part-time welding positions in Schenectady, the difference in earnings compared to full-time work can be substantial. While a full-time welder earns a stable income, part-time professionals might find opportunities at a higher hourly wage but must balance this with decreased hours. Traveling welders, for example, typically receive between $40-$70 per hour, in addition to potential per diem rates ranging from $80 to $175 daily, making this an attractive option for mobile rig operators. Welders engaged in refinery turnarounds and shipbuilding can expect $50-$80 per hour, plus incentives like double-time on weekends. Various employers influence how hourly rates differ—structural steel shops and nuclear power facilities often pay premiums for niche skills. Those accepting roles with benefits might earn slightly less per hour but gain valuable health insurance, while others may negotiate for higher pay in exchange for forgoing such packages. Understanding the local market can be critical when discussing pay rates in Schenectady.
More salary data for Schenectady, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for welders in Schenectady 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 Schenectady. 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 Schenectady 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