Welder Hourly Pay in Mooresville, NC: $24.40 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Mooresville, NC runs $24.40 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,753 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Mooresville'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 Mooresville, the welder hourly pay stands at $24.40, which positions it below the national average of $26.87 per hour. This rate reflects a growing demand for skilled welders, especially in diverse settings such as fabrication shops, pipeline construction sites, and even mobile welding setups. A typical full-time welder’s income allows for reasonable living conditions, yet part-time workers, for instance, those working three days a week, might find themselves earning slightly less, which could impact their overall financial strategy. The hourly range for welders in this area spans from approximately $19.10 for entry-level positions to about $35.18 for top earners, indicating room for advancement and specialization. Welders engaged in particular high-demand sectors, including rig work and specialty welding, may find opportunities to increase their earnings substantially beyond the median, highlighting the potential for wage growth in the trade.
About the Mooresville 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) | $19.10 | $152.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.94 | $175.54 |
| Median (P50) | $24.40 | $195.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.53 | $220.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.18 | $281.44 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Mooresville
Based on $24.40/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.40/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Mooresville, 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 Mooresville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Mooresville
| 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 (Mooresville) | $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 Mooresville, NC earn a median of $50,753 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.20% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 3.80% below the North Carolina state average of $52,758.
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 Mooresville (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 | $20.78/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 Mooresville 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 Mooresville 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 Mooresville
While the hourly figures provide a solid baseline, understanding the earning potential for part-time and per diem work is crucial for welders in Mooresville. A part-time welder working a 24-hour week could expect to take home around $28,090 annually—the difference compared to full-time roles can be significant, suggesting that many in the trade may opt for more hours. Traveling or per diem welders have the potential to significantly enhance their pay: they may earn $40-$70 per hour base plus daily stipends of $80-$175 depending on the job's location and complexity. Specialized roles such as underwater welding can command $1,000-$3,000 per day during peak seasons. Different employer types contribute to varied hourly rates; shipyards, nuclear power maintenance, and self-employed mobile welders present a range of compensation that synchronizes with the unique requirements of each specialty. As welders evaluate opportunities, they may weigh the trade-offs between higher hourly rates without benefits and positions with lower rates that include health insurance, making negotiation skills paramount for maximizing their welder hourly rate in NC.
More salary data for Mooresville, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for welders in Mooresville in 2026?
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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 Mooresville. 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 Mooresville 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