Welder Hourly Pay in Pinehurst, NC: $23.51 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Pinehurst, NC runs $23.51 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,906 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Pinehurst's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.12 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,343 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Pinehurst, NC, the welder hourly pay stands at a median of $23.51, which is noticeably lower than the national median of $26.87. This difference reflects the local job market and cost of living, with entry-level positions starting around $18.69 per hour and top earners reaching upwards of $31.85. For part-time welders working three days a week, this hourly pay translates into significant earnings potential, especially within a variety of work environments such as fabrication shops, pipeline welding stations, and manufacturing production cells. For those considering per-diem roles, the financial landscape becomes even more attractive, as welders in specific sectors may receive additional pay for travel-related expenses on top of their base hourly earnings, making it a viable choice for many in the industry.
About the Pinehurst 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) | $18.69 | $149.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.32 | $170.54 |
| Median (P50) | $23.51 | $188.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $26.81 | $214.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $31.85 | $254.82 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Pinehurst
Based on $23.51/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.51/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Pinehurst, NC can expect to earn approximately $48,905 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,215. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Pinehurst.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Pinehurst
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $940.49 | $4,075 | $48,905 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $564.29 | $2,445 | $29,343 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $376.19 | $1,630 | $19,562 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Pinehurst) | $23.51 |
| 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 Pinehurst, NC earn a median of $48,906 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.50% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 7.30% below the North Carolina state average of $52,758.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.51/hr = $29,343/year (purchasing power: $31,350).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,905/year (purchasing power: $52,249).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.87/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.61/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.51/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Pinehurst (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.87/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.59/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.77/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.00/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.59/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.03/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.61/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.51/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.45/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Pinehurst grew 26.5% from $17.87/hr (2019) to $22.61/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.45/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 Pinehurst 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 Pinehurst
Focusing on part-time work, a welder working 24 hours per week at $23.51 would take home approximately $29,380 annually, which is considerably less than a full-time counterpart earning roughly $49,000 per year. Welders engaging in per diem arrangements can see dramatic variations in compensation; traveling pipe welders can command base rates of $40-$70 per hour along with daily allowances ranging from $80 to $175, varying based on location and employer. Additionally, specialized roles, such as refinery turnaround welders, can earn anywhere from $50 to $80 per hour, often supplemented with overtime pay during busy periods. Areas like structural steel fabrication or nuclear power maintenance often report differing hourly rates depending on the employer type. While some may opt for positions that offer lower hourly wages in exchange for health benefits, others may prefer higher pay without benefits. Understanding these factors is essential for welders in Pinehurst, NC, leading to better negotiation outcomes for hourly roles within the varied sectors of this trade.
More salary data for Pinehurst, 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 Pinehurst. 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 Pinehurst 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