Welder Hourly Pay in Salisbury, NC: $24.93 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Salisbury, NC runs $24.93 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,851 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Salisbury's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.63 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,108 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Salisbury, North Carolina, the welder hourly pay stands at a median of $24.93, which is slightly below the national median of $26.87. This wage reflects the diverse range of opportunities available in the welding field, from entry-level positions earning around $18.34 per hour to experienced professionals making up to $33.68 per hour. This hourly rate is particularly relevant for part-time welders who may work just three days a week, as well as for those in per-diem roles typical in specialization settings like fabrication shops and pipeline welding sites. For those working in more technical environments like nuclear power plants or offshore oil rigs, the potential for significantly higher rates often exists, aligning with the demand for specialized skills and certifications such as AWS or NQA-1.
About the Salisbury 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) | $18.34 | $146.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.55 | $172.37 |
| Median (P50) | $24.93 | $199.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.21 | $225.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $33.68 | $269.46 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Salisbury
Based on $24.93/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.93/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Salisbury, NC can expect to earn approximately $51,847 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,912. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Salisbury.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Salisbury
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $997.06 | $4,321 | $51,847 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $598.23 | $2,592 | $31,108 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $398.82 | $1,728 | $20,739 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Salisbury) | $24.93 |
| 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 Salisbury, NC earn a median of $51,851 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.23% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 1.70% below the North Carolina state average of $52,748.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.93/hr = $31,108/year (purchasing power: $33,235).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,847/year (purchasing power: $55,392).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.95/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.97/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.93/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Salisbury (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.95/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.71/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.96/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.20/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.82/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.23/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.97/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.93/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.92/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Salisbury grew 26.5% from $18.95/hr (2019) to $23.97/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.92/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 Salisbury 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 Salisbury
For welders considering part-time opportunities, working 24 hours a week at the Salisbury hourly rate translates to an annual income of approximately $31,200, which is substantially lower than the full-time average. Those engaged in per-diem or contract work can expect different pay scales; traveling pipe welders typically earn $40-$70 per hour and can add per-diem rates ranging from $80 to $175 daily, optimizing their earnings considerably. Additionally, specialized roles such as underwater welders can bring in revenues between $1,000 and $3,000 per day, especially during peak seasons. The type of employer also influences pay, with those working in structural steel fabrication or oil and gas sectors often enjoying higher rates. While some welders may opt for jobs with lower hourly wages that provide benefits, others may prioritize higher payments without health plans. In Salisbury, effective negotiation can greatly impact take-home pay, highlighting the importance of being informed about local wage standards and industry practices.
More salary data for Salisbury, 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 Salisbury. 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 Salisbury 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