Welder Hourly Pay in Chambersburg, PA: $26.66 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Chambersburg, PA runs $26.66 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,468 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Chambersburg's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.6, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.17 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,275 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, welders can expect a median hourly pay of $26.66, which is slightly below the national median of $26.87. This hourly rate provides a stable income for those working in various environments such as fabrication shops, pipeline welding stations, and nuclear plant maintenance. For part-time welders, working three days a week can translate to around $1,600 monthly before taxes, making this career appealing for those seeking flexible schedules. The hourly wage ranges from $21.55 for entry-level positions to as high as $35.82 for experienced welders specializing in complex tasks, reflecting the diverse skill levels and expertise within the field. These wage figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and offer insights into the earning potential of welders in this region.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.55 | $172.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.02 | $192.17 |
| Median (P50) | $26.66 | $213.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.24 | $281.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.82 | $286.60 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chambersburg
Based on $26.66/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.66/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chambersburg, PA can expect to earn approximately $55,459 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,996. With a cost-of-living index of 94.64 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Chambersburg.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chambersburg
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,066.52 | $4,622 | $55,459 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $639.91 | $2,773 | $33,275 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $426.61 | $1,849 | $22,184 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Chambersburg) | $26.66 |
| 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 Chambersburg, PA earn a median of $55,468 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.76% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 2.70% above the Pennsylvania state average of $54,010.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.66/hr = $33,275/year (purchasing power: $35,159).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,459/year (purchasing power: $58,599).
CoL index: 94.642 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.60/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.64/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.66/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+12.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Chambersburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.60/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.11/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.65/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.23/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.89/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.54/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.64/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.66/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.73/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Chambersburg grew 4.2% from $24.60/hr (2019) to $25.64/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.73/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 Chambersburg 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 Chambersburg
|||
Exploring the earning potential for part-time welders reveals significant discrepancies when compared to full-time work. A welder in Chambersburg working a standard hours of 24 a week could take home approximately $38,400 annually, which is a solid income but still less than what full-time welders earn. Welders who are part of traveling workforces, particularly in oil and gas, can command base rates of $40-$70/hr plus $80-$175/day in per diem allowances, significantly boosting their overall compensation. This advantage is particularly evident during refinery shutdowns where hourly rates can reach $50-$80, and owner-operators in mobile welding setups can charge $90-$160/hr. Factors such as job stability and benefits also play a major role in a welder's choice between higher hourly rates with no benefits versus lower rates with health insurance coverage. Negotiation becomes key in this dynamic market, with a focus on understanding local employer practices in sectors like manufacturing, construction, and specialty welding to maximize compensation opportunities.
More salary data for Chambersburg, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for welders in Chambersburg in 2026?
How much do part-time welders make in Chambersburg?
Are welders in Chambersburg paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time welder make per year in Chambersburg?
Do welders earn more per hour working part-time in Chambersburg?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Pennsylvania
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 Chambersburg. 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