Welder Hourly Pay in Kernersville, NC: $25.13 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Kernersville, NC runs $25.13 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $52,281 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Kernersville's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.85 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,368 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kernersville, North Carolina, welders earn a median hourly rate of $25.13, which is slightly below the national median of $26.87. This wage means that welders working part-time, such as three days a week, take home around $1,200 a month before taxes, which can support a modest lifestyle, especially given the area’s cost of living index of 93.6. The hourly rate ranges from $18.86 for entry-level positions to about $35.32 for top earners in various environments, including fabrication shops and manufacturing facilities. As these figures are based on estimates derived from annual salary data, they reflect the potential earning capacity for both full-time and per diem workers who may find themselves on demanding assignments in locations such as pipeline welding stations or shipyards.
About the Kernersville Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.86 | $150.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.98 | $175.87 |
| Median (P50) | $25.13 | $201.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.22 | $233.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.32 | $282.52 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kernersville
Based on $25.13/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.13/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kernersville, NC can expect to earn approximately $52,280 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,161. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kernersville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kernersville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,005.38 | $4,357 | $52,280 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $603.23 | $2,614 | $31,368 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $402.15 | $1,743 | $20,912 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Kernersville) | $25.13 |
| 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 Kernersville, NC earn a median of $52,281 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.47% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 0.90% below the North Carolina state average of $52,756.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.13/hr = $31,368/year (purchasing power: $33,513).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $52,280/year (purchasing power: $55,854).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.11/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.17/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.13/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Kernersville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.11/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.87/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.14/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.38/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.01/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.40/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.17/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.13/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.14/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Kernersville grew 26.5% from $19.11/hr (2019) to $24.17/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.14/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 Kernersville 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 Kernersville
For those considering part-time opportunities in welding, working a typical 24-hour week may yield an annual income around $31,115 compared to full-timers who can expect a more stable income based on a 40-hour workweek. Welders are often faced with choices regarding per diem arrangements, which can significantly enhance earnings; those involved in traveling pipe welding frequently see daily per diem pay ranging from $80 to $175 on top of a base rate of $40 to $70 per hour. Opportunities in refinery turnarounds can command even higher wages during peak shutdown periods. Specialty welders such as underwater or nuclear welders may capitalize on their unique skills with pay that can reach astounding figures. The balance between hourly wages and benefits is another consideration for Kernersville welders, as some may opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for health coverage, while others pursue independent contracts with no benefits but potentially higher pay. Negotiation strategies for welders in this area should focus on skill-specific certifications such as 6G pipe certification, which can provide further leverage when discussing compensation with employers across various sectors, from construction and shipbuilding to petrochemical facilities.
More salary data for Kernersville, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Kernersville. 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 Kernersville 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