Welder Hourly Pay in Durant, OK: $22.37 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Durant, OK runs $22.37 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $46,520 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Durant's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.9, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.16 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,916 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Hourly earnings for welders in Durant, Oklahoma, are projected to be around $22.37 in 2026, which falls below the national median of $26.87 per hour. This disparity can significantly impact welders seeking part-time opportunities or per-diem work due to the area's cost of living index standing at 88.9, indicating it is below the national average. Those working in typical environments such as fabrication shops or refinery platforms can expect to earn between $18.25 (entry-level) and $30.67 (experienced welders). For those who may only work three days a week or take on temporary per-diem roles, the lower end of this scale represents a modest income, which may limit lifestyle options compared to full-time welders who enjoy the benefits of steadier incomes.
About the Durant Market
Salary estimated from Oklahoma average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.25 | $146.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.55 | $164.39 |
| Median (P50) | $22.37 | $178.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $24.97 | $199.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.67 | $245.33 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Durant
Based on $22.37/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.37/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Durant, OK can expect to earn approximately $46,526 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,842. With a cost-of-living index of 88.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Durant.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Durant
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $894.73 | $3,877 | $46,526 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $536.84 | $2,326 | $27,916 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $357.89 | $1,551 | $18,610 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Durant) | $22.37 |
| 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 Durant, OK earn a median of $46,520 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.77% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 6.40% below the Oklahoma state average of $49,701.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.37/hr = $27,916/year (purchasing power: $31,401).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $46,526/year (purchasing power: $52,335).
CoL index: 88.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.00/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.51/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.37/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Durant (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.00/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.68/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.81/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.02/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.59/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.01/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.51/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.37/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.26/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Durant grew 26.5% from $17.00/hr (2019) to $21.51/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.26/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 Durant 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 Durant
Considering the hourly pay dynamics, part-time welders working 24 hours a week can anticipate taking home approximately $27,809 annually, starkly contrasting the earnings of full-time welders in the region. Traveling welders, especially those undertaking pipeline work, typically see significantly higher pay, ranging from $40 to $70 per hour, with the added potential for daily per-diem compensation of $80 to $175. When it comes to specialized welding roles, such as those in refineries during turnaround operations, professionals may earn as much as $80 per hour along with double-time incentives for weekend shifts. The differences in hourly compensation reflect the type of employer; structural fabrication shops and independent mobile welders might offer lower rates than nuclear plant maintenance or aerospace defense work, which tends to command higher premiums. Many welders must balance hourly pay with benefits available through union affiliations versus the higher pay often available for non-union jobs, a consideration that can complicate decisions in an industry facing a looming workforce shortage, particularly with the expected demand for skilled labor.
More salary data for Durant, OK:
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 Durant. 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 Durant 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