Welder Hourly Pay in Ponce, PR: $15.84 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Ponce, PR runs $15.84 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $32,944 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Puerto Rico's regional price level (BEA RPP 75.0, 25% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.12 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $19,765 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Ponce, Puerto Rico, a welder currently earns a median hourly pay of $15.84, significantly below the national median of $26.87. This substantial difference can impact those working in various settings, from fabrication shops to mobile welding operations, often hosting a rigorous workload. For part-time welders, typically working three days a week, such an hourly wage translates to a narrower income margin, making per-diem opportunities especially attractive. Entry-level welders can expect to start at around $13.72 per hour, with experienced professionals able to earn as much as $20.33. The hourly range reflects the qualifications and specialization required in this field, particularly for those skilled in processes recognized by AWS or NCCER certifications.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $13.72 | $109.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $14.89 | $119.13 |
| Median (P50) | $15.84 | $126.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $17.68 | $141.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $20.33 | $162.64 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ponce
Based on $15.84/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $15.84/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ponce, PR can expect to earn approximately $32,942 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $19,005.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ponce
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $633.51 | $2,745 | $32,942 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $380.10 | $1,647 | $19,765 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $253.40 | $1,098 | $13,177 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Ponce) | $15.84 |
| 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 Ponce, PR earn a median of $32,944 per year (2026 est.), which is 41.06% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 4.80% above the Puerto Rico state average of $31,435.
2019 BLS Actual
$9.34/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$15.23/hr
2026 Current Est.
$15.84/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+76.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Ponce (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $9.34/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $9.89/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $11.14/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $13.48/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $13.58/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $14.00/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $15.23/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $15.84/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $16.47/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Ponce grew 63.1% from $9.34/hr (2019) to $15.23/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $16.47/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 Ponce 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 Ponce
While part-time welders in Ponce can earn roughly $5,000 annually, full-time positions provide a much broad earning potential, demonstrating a significant disparity based on work hours. For those in more lucrative per-diem opportunities, pay can significantly increase; traveling pipe welders, for instance, may command $40-$70 per hour plus daily allowances ranging from $80 to $175. Specializations like underwater welding or refinery work during shutdowns can push wages even higher, with rates exceeding $3,000 daily in peak conditions. Job roles across different sectors, including structural steel fabrication, oil and gas, and nuclear power, will also dictate pay variability. Furthermore, welders must balance the trade-offs between lower hourly wages that offer health benefits and higher rates that come without insurance. Negotiation skills can greatly influence pay in Ponce, making it important for welders to understand their value and the market demand, particularly in light of the projected shortage in skilled welding professionals.
More salary data for Ponce, PR:
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 Ponce. 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