Welder Hourly Pay in Fayetteville, NC: $24.88 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Fayetteville, NC runs $24.88 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,766 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Fayetteville's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.0, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,056 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fayetteville, North Carolina, the welder hourly pay sits at an estimated $24.88 in 2026, which is slightly lower than the national median of $26.87. This median hourly rate influences various employment scenarios, including those who may work part-time, such as three days a week, or per-diem arrangements commonly found at fabrication shops, pipeline welding stations, and refinery sites. Welders can expect to earn anywhere within a range from $19.09 for entry-level positions to $34.57 for experienced professionals or specialty roles. This variation often reflects the specific work environments, including shipyards, nuclear plants, and self-employed mobile rig setups. According to data sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), these hourly figures help current and aspiring welders gauge the competitive landscape of their profession in Fayetteville.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.09 | $152.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.16 | $169.30 |
| Median (P50) | $24.88 | $199.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.39 | $243.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.57 | $276.53 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fayetteville
Based on $24.88/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.88/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fayetteville, NC can expect to earn approximately $51,760 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,862. With a cost-of-living index of 91.98 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fayetteville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fayetteville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $995.39 | $4,313 | $51,760 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $597.24 | $2,588 | $31,056 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $398.16 | $1,725 | $20,704 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Fayetteville) | $24.88 |
| 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 Fayetteville, NC earn a median of $51,766 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.39% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 1.90% below the North Carolina state average of $52,769.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.88/hr = $31,056/year (purchasing power: $33,765).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,760/year (purchasing power: $56,275).
CoL index: 91.978 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.62/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.93/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.88/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Fayetteville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.62/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.76/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.85/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.30/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.76/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.60/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.93/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.88/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.88/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Fayetteville grew 22.0% from $19.62/hr (2019) to $23.93/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.88/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 Fayetteville 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 Fayetteville
When considering part-time options, a welder working 24 hours a week can anticipate earning approximately $31,000 annually, significantly less than what full-time positions may offer. The per-diem welder pay in Fayetteville can present lucrative opportunities, with traveling welders often receiving $80 to $175 per day in per-diem on top of base rates ranging from $40 to $70 per hour. Factors such as employer type heavily influence hourly wages; positions with oil and gas pipelines, shipyards, or specialized nuclear maintenance often provide more competitive earnings compared to general manufacturing. Additionally, negotiating the trade-off between higher hourly wages without benefits and lower wages with comprehensive health packages remains a key consideration for many in the field. Welders may also benefit from understanding local market dynamics, ensuring they advocate effectively for their worth in this evolving profession.
More salary data for Fayetteville, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for welders in Fayetteville in 2026?
How much do part-time welders make in Fayetteville?
Are welders in Fayetteville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time welder make per year in Fayetteville?
Do welders earn more per hour working part-time in Fayetteville?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Carolina
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 Fayetteville. 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