Welder Hourly Pay in Monroe, NC: $24.40 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Monroe, NC runs $24.40 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,734 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Monroe's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,446 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Monroe, North Carolina, the welder hourly pay is projected to be around $24.40 in 2026, slightly below the national median hourly rate of $26.87. This hourly wage positions welders in Monroe favorably for those seeking part-time opportunities. For example, a welder working three days a week can earn over $36,000 annually for just 24 hours on the job each week, which speaks to the potential for meaningful income even on a reduced schedule. The hourly pay varies widely, with entry-level positions starting at roughly $19.07, while experienced welders can earn as much as $34.29. These estimates take into consideration different working environments, including fabrication shops, pipeline welding stations, and manufacturing facilities, which commonly seek skilled tradespeople at various experience levels.
About the Monroe 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) | $19.07 | $152.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.92 | $175.37 |
| Median (P50) | $24.40 | $195.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.42 | $227.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.29 | $274.28 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Monroe
Based on $24.40/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.40/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Monroe, NC can expect to earn approximately $50,744 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,275. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Monroe.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Monroe
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $975.84 | $4,229 | $50,744 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $585.51 | $2,537 | $30,446 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $390.34 | $1,691 | $20,298 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Monroe) | $24.40 |
| 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 Monroe, NC earn a median of $50,734 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.23% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 3.80% below the North Carolina state average of $52,738.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.40/hr = $30,446/year (purchasing power: $32,528).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,744/year (purchasing power: $54,213).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.55/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.46/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.40/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Monroe (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.55/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.29/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.52/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.75/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.36/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.77/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.46/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.40/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.37/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Monroe grew 26.5% from $18.55/hr (2019) to $23.46/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.37/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 Monroe 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 Monroe
Exploring the financial dynamics of welding jobs in Monroe reveals various earning potentials, particularly for those who consider per-diem work and different employment settings. While hourly rates may fluctuate depending on the employer type, many traveling welders can secure per diem welder pay in the range of $80 to $175 daily alongside a base hourly wage of $40 to $70. In contrast, refinery turnaround crews can see earnings between $50 and $80 per hour during shutdowns, emphasizing the lucrative opportunities during peak demand times. Owner-operators of rig welders can charge between $90 to $160 per hour, factoring in equipment costs. However, some welders may face a trade-off between lower hourly pay with health benefits and higher pay without them. Effective negotiation strategies become crucial, especially in Monroe’s diverse workplace environments, where welders skilled in specialized processes like TIG and flux core may warrant higher compensation, particularly given the projected industry shortage that highlights the ongoing need for qualified professionals.
More salary data for Monroe, 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 Monroe. 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 Monroe 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