Welder Hourly Pay in Burlington, NC: $25.37 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Burlington, NC runs $25.37 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $52,765 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Burlington's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.23 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,666 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Burlington, North Carolina, the welder hourly rate stands at $25.37, which is slightly below the national median of $26.87. This figure not only reflects the competitive nature of the local job market but also outlines the earning potential for part-time workers and those engaged in per-diem assignments. Welders working three days a week, or 24 hours total, can expect to earn roughly $1,368 weekly, which can significantly benefit those needing flexibility. The hourly pay spectrum spans from $19.40 for entry-level positions to $32.39 for top earners, with various settings ranging from fabrication shop production lines to pipeline trench welding, and specialized environments like oil refineries or shipyard hulls contributing to these variations. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, highlights the diverse opportunities within Burlington's welding industry.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.40 | $155.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.48 | $187.85 |
| Median (P50) | $25.37 | $202.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.99 | $231.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $32.39 | $259.14 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Burlington
Based on $25.37/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.37/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Burlington, NC can expect to earn approximately $52,777 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,448. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Burlington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Burlington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,014.94 | $4,398 | $52,777 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $608.97 | $2,639 | $31,666 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $405.98 | $1,759 | $21,111 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Burlington) | $25.37 |
| 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 Burlington, NC earn a median of $52,765 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.60% lower than the national median of $55,895.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.37/hr = $31,666/year (purchasing power: $33,978).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $52,777/year (purchasing power: $56,630).
CoL index: 93.196 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.56/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.40/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.37/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.56/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.28/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.18/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.30/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.41/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.65/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.40/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.37/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.39/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Burlington grew 31.5% from $18.56/hr (2019) to $24.40/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.39/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 Burlington 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 Burlington
When considering the overall income landscape, part-time welders working in Burlington often manage to earn a respectable income, although full-time positions typically offer more financial security. For those involved in traveling roles or contract work, the scenario changes significantly; per diem welder pay in Burlington can include daily rates typically pegged at $80-$175, in addition to base hourly rates ranging from $40-$70. Refinery shutdowns may bring in $50-$80 per hour, especially during weekends when double-time is often paid, while owner-operators of mobile rigs can bill anywhere from $90-$160 an hour. It's vital for welders to evaluate each job offer critically, weighing the hourly rate against benefits like health insurance that some employers provide, which might render a lower hourly wage more appealing. Understanding how wages vary between structural welding, pipeline work, and other sectors can also aid in negotiation—an essential skill for workers in this evolving industry.
More salary data for Burlington, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Burlington. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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