Welder Hourly Pay in Greenville, NC: $28.68 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Greenville, NC runs $28.68 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,649 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Greenville's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.4, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.44 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,793 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Welders in Greenville, North Carolina, can anticipate a median hourly pay of $28.68, which exceeds the national median hourly rate of $26.87 by approximately 6.72%. This hourly figure is particularly significant for those considering part-time work or per-diem arrangements, common in various welding environments, such as fabrication shops and construction sites. Entry-level positions start at $18.08 per hour, offering a pathway to those new to the profession, while more seasoned welders can earn up to $36.08 per hour, capturing a wide range of opportunities from structural fabrication to pipeline work. This data is drawn from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, forecasted to 2026, highlighting the competitive nature of the Greenville job market for welders.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.08 | $144.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.10 | $184.77 |
| Median (P50) | $28.68 | $229.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.66 | $245.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.08 | $288.68 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Greenville
Based on $28.68/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.68/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Greenville, NC can expect to earn approximately $59,655 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,417. With a cost-of-living index of 88.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Greenville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Greenville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,147.22 | $4,971 | $59,655 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $688.33 | $2,983 | $35,793 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $458.89 | $1,989 | $23,862 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Greenville) | $28.68 |
| 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 Greenville, NC earn a median of $59,649 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.72% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 13.00% above the North Carolina state average of $52,786.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.68/hr = $35,793/year (purchasing power: $40,489).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,655/year (purchasing power: $67,482).
CoL index: 88.402 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.26/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.58/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.68/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+40.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Greenville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.26/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.81/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.73/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.50/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.81/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.63/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.58/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.68/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.82/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Greenville grew 29.7% from $21.26/hr (2019) to $27.58/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.82/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 Greenville 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 Greenville
Part-time welders in Greenville can expect a notable difference in earnings, particularly when working three days a week. A typical 24-hour workweek translates into substantial annual income, though full-time positions naturally yield higher overall earnings. For those engaged in per-diem work, rates vary; traveling pipeline welders may command $40-$70 per hour plus daily per-diem ranging from $80 to $175. Specialization, such as underwater welding, can see daily earnings of $1,000 to $3,000, reflecting the premium in tough conditions. Employment sectors significantly influence hourly pay; welding opportunities in structural steel fabrication and petrochemical industries can differ markedly. Welders are advised to weigh the trade-offs between seeking higher hourly wages without benefits or opting for lower rates that offer health insurance and stability, especially in a market like Greenville where competition is escalating.
More salary data for Greenville, 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 Greenville. 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