Welder Hourly Pay in Lancaster, PA: $27.18 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Lancaster, PA runs $27.18 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,539 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Lancaster's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.3, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.67 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,924 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the welder hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $27.18 in 2026, just slightly above the national median of $26.87. This rate translates well for various working arrangements, whether a full-time position or part-time at just three days a week in settings like fabrication workshops, pipeline projects, or shipyards. Entry-level welders can start at approximately $20.74 an hour, while seasoned professionals may earn up to $36.95 per hour. These BLS estimates highlight the financial viability of welding careers in Lancaster, where 1,270 professionals are employed, contributing to a steady flow of talent in local industries.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.74 | $165.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.93 | $191.42 |
| Median (P50) | $27.18 | $217.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.50 | $251.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.95 | $295.58 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lancaster
Based on $27.18/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.18/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lancaster, PA can expect to earn approximately $56,541 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,620. With a cost-of-living index of 98.26 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lancaster.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lancaster
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,087.32 | $4,712 | $56,541 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $652.39 | $2,827 | $33,924 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $434.93 | $1,885 | $22,616 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Lancaster) | $27.18 |
| 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 Lancaster, PA earn a median of $56,539 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.15% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 4.70% above the Pennsylvania state average of $54,001.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.18/hr = $33,924/year (purchasing power: $34,526).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,541/year (purchasing power: $57,544).
CoL index: 98.257 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.16/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.14/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.18/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+33.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Lancaster (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.16/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.18/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.42/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.50/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.27/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.87/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.14/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.18/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.27/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Lancaster grew 23.5% from $21.16/hr (2019) to $26.14/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.27/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 Lancaster 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 Lancaster
For part-time welders working a 3-day week, an annual income can vary significantly based on hours worked. Committing to a 24-hour workweek at $27.18 would yield around $33,897 annually, in comparison to full-time income. Furthermore, per diem welder pay in Lancaster can enhance earnings considerably. Traveling pipe welders often earn $80-$175 per day in addition to their hourly rates, while those engaged in refinery turnarounds may see rates between $50-$80 per hour, with double-time available on weekends. Different employer types, from structural steel shops to nuclear power plant maintenance, also present varying compensation levels. Some welders might accept lower hourly pay in exchange for benefits like healthcare, while others may prefer freelance opportunities that command higher rates. Negotiating contracts in Lancaster requires an understanding of both regional trends and personal priorities.
More salary data for Lancaster, PA:
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 Lancaster. 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