Welder Hourly Pay in Grand Forks, ND: $29.10 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Grand Forks, ND runs $29.10 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,522 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Grand Forks's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.7, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.57 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,312 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Grand Forks, ND, the welder hourly pay is projected to reach $29.10 in 2026, notably surpassing the national median of $26.87. This rate is particularly appealing for per-diem and part-time welders, who often work in various settings like fabrication shops and pipeline welding stations. For those choosing to work three days a week, the potential earnings can be substantial, reaching $2,088 on average per week based on a standard 40-hour work schedule. Entry-level welders can expect to earn around $21.83 per hour, while experienced professionals can command as much as $40.58, demonstrating a broad range of opportunities within the field. These figures are based on official BLS hourly data, reflecting the growing demand for skilled welders in the area.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.83 | $174.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.62 | $204.99 |
| Median (P50) | $29.10 | $232.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.63 | $261.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.58 | $324.62 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Grand Forks
Based on $29.10/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.10/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Grand Forks, ND can expect to earn approximately $60,521 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,916. With a cost-of-living index of 86.66 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Grand Forks.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Grand Forks
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,163.86 | $5,043 | $60,521 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $698.31 | $3,026 | $36,312 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $465.54 | $2,017 | $24,208 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Grand Forks) | $29.10 |
| 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 Grand Forks, ND earn a median of $60,522 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.28% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 17.70% above the North Dakota state average of $51,421.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.10/hr = $36,312/year (purchasing power: $41,901).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,521/year (purchasing power: $69,834).
CoL index: 86.663 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.33/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.98/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.10/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+35.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Grand Forks (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.33/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.34/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.77/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.29/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.73/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.04/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.98/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.10/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.26/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Grand Forks grew 25.3% from $22.33/hr (2019) to $27.98/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.26/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 Grand Forks 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 Grand Forks
Part-time welders earning $29.10 per hour and working just 24 hours a week can potentially bring home around $36,000 annually, a reasonable sum compared to the expectations of full-time work. Those in specialized or per-diem roles, such as traveling welders, may find significantly higher daily rates. For instance, pipeline welders often receive per diem rates ranging from $80 to $175 on top of a base pay of $40 to $70 per hour. Refineries in shutdown also offer premium rates, sometimes reaching $80 per hour, especially during weekends when double-time is applicable. In Grand Forks, the variation in welding pay often correlates with type of employer, whether it's structural steel fabrication, petrochemical, or aerospace industries. Those welders who prioritize benefits may accept lower hourly wages, while owner-operators could demand as much as $160 per hour depending on their equipment and expertise. Negotiation plays a critical role in securing favorable hourly rates, so welders should consider their unique skills and certifications, like 6G pipe certification, when discussing pay with potential employers.
More salary data for Grand Forks, ND:
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 Grand Forks. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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