Welder Hourly Pay in Bristol, RI: $25.57 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Bristol, RI runs $25.57 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $53,177 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Bristol's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.5, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $25.44 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,913 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Welder hourly pay in Bristol, RI, is projected to reach a median rate of $25.57 in 2026, which is slightly below the national hourly median of $26.87. This figure can significantly impact part-time workers, such as those on a 3-day work schedule, as well as per-diem welders who fill specialized roles in varied environments like fabrication shops and shipyards. With such hourly rates, welders can expect to earn between $19.18 at the entry-level to $35.59 for the top earners in the industry. While these hourly estimates are derived from annual salary data, they provide a clear picture of the financial landscape for welders operating in Bristol's evolving job market.
About the Bristol Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.18 | $153.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.26 | $178.11 |
| Median (P50) | $25.57 | $204.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.33 | $226.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.59 | $284.68 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bristol
Based on $25.57/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.57/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bristol, RI can expect to earn approximately $53,188 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,685. With a cost-of-living index of 100.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bristol.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bristol
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,022.85 | $4,432 | $53,188 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $613.71 | $2,659 | $31,913 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $409.14 | $1,773 | $21,275 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Bristol) | $25.57 |
| 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 Bristol, RI earn a median of $53,177 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.86% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 5.30% below the Rhode Island state average of $56,154.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.57/hr = $31,913/year (purchasing power: $31,754).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $53,188/year (purchasing power: $52,923).
CoL index: 100.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$19.44/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.59/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.57/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Bristol (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.44/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.22/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.51/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.75/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.39/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.61/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.59/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.57/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.59/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Bristol grew 26.5% from $19.44/hr (2019) to $24.59/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.59/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 Bristol 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 Bristol
For those considering part-time welding work in Bristol, a typical 3-day/week schedule translates to approximately $31,088 annually, significantly less than what full-time welders might see. Many traveling welders who take on per-diem roles can earn between $80-$175 daily on top of their base rates of $40-$70 per hour, depending on supply and demand conditions. Specialty positions in refinery turnarounds, for instance, pay between $50-$80 per hour, often doubling on weekends. Variability in hourly wages stems from factors like employer type, with construction, shipyard work, and nuclear maintenance often offering different pay scales. This leads many welders to evaluate whether to accept lower hourly rates for positions with health insurance benefits or to pursue higher-paying work without fringe benefits. Being informed about the regional market, including Bristol's demand for skilled welders, presents opportunities for negotiation that can enhance job satisfaction and financial outcomes.
More salary data for Bristol, RI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for welders in Bristol in 2026?
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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 Bristol. 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 Bristol 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