Welder Hourly Pay in Wake Forest, NC: $25.01 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Wake Forest, NC runs $25.01 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $52,022 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Wake Forest's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.72 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,212 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wake Forest, NC, the welder hourly rate is projected to be $25.01 in 2026, slightly trailing behind the national median of $26.87. This rate positions local welders in a competitive yet varied landscape, where part-time workers, such as those seeking 24-hour work weeks, can expect to earn approximately $1,200 weekly. For welders engaging in per-diem work across various environments—like fabrication shop production lines or pipeline trench welding stations—it’s important to note the wide range of opportunities that can affect pay. Hourly earnings can fluctuate significantly from $19.19 at the lower end for entry-level positions to $36.54 for top earners with substantial expertise. Each of these figures helps define the economic prospects for welders operating within local facilities or independently in mobile setups.
About the Wake Forest 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) | $19.19 | $153.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.73 | $173.87 |
| Median (P50) | $25.01 | $200.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.71 | $237.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.54 | $292.34 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wake Forest
Based on $25.01/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.01/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wake Forest, NC can expect to earn approximately $52,020 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,012. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wake Forest.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wake Forest
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,000.38 | $4,335 | $52,020 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $600.23 | $2,601 | $31,212 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $400.15 | $1,734 | $20,808 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Wake Forest) | $25.01 |
| 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 Wake Forest, NC earn a median of $52,022 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.93% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 1.40% below the North Carolina state average of $52,761.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.01/hr = $31,212/year (purchasing power: $33,346).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $52,020/year (purchasing power: $55,577).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.01/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.05/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.01/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Wake Forest (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.01/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.77/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.03/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.27/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.90/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.30/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.05/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.01/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.01/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Wake Forest grew 26.5% from $19.01/hr (2019) to $24.05/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.01/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 Wake Forest 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 Wake Forest
Examining the specifics of part-time and per-diem welders reveals a nuanced financial picture in Wake Forest. A welder working three days a week could anticipate $62,000 annually, compared to their full-time counterparts, who might significantly increase their earnings with overtime options. For traveling pipe welders, the pay can jump impressively, with daily per-diem rates ranging from $80 to $175 on top of base hourly wages between $40 to $70. Additionally, during crucial refinery turnarounds, welders may earn between $50 to $80 per hour, often including double time for weekends. Variation in hourly rates is a key characteristic of the industry; employer types—whether structural steel fabrication shops or aerospace and defense contractors—can shape compensation strategies significantly. While some welders may opt for positions with comprehensive benefits despite lower pay, others might prefer higher hourly rates without the safety net of insurance. To maximize their earnings, welders in Wake Forest should communicate early and effectively about their worth and be prepared to negotiate based on specific project needs or skill level.
More salary data for Wake Forest, 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 Wake Forest. 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 Wake Forest 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