Welder Hourly Pay in Clarksville, TN: $26.49 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Clarksville, TN runs $26.49 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,084 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Clarksville's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.12 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,055 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Clarksville, TN, welders earn a median hourly rate of $26.49, slightly below the national median of $26.87 for similar roles. This wage provides a solid income for welders working in various environments, including fabrication shops, pipeline projects, and shipyards. With entry-level positions starting at around $20.13 per hour, the earning potential can rise significantly, reaching up to $31.25 per hour for experienced professionals. The hourly wage reflects not just the skill involved but also the specific demands of the job settings, such as challenging conditions often encountered in oil and gas or nuclear facilities. When considering part-time or per-diem work arrangements, welders may find flexible opportunities that suit their lifestyle while still providing competitive pay. Official BLS hourly data indicates that welders in Clarksville can adjust their work hours according to the needs of various projects, offering both stability and versatility in their careers.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.13 | $161.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.60 | $188.76 |
| Median (P50) | $26.49 | $211.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.25 | $234.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $31.25 | $249.99 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Clarksville
Based on $26.49/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.49/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Clarksville, TN can expect to earn approximately $55,091 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,784. With a cost-of-living index of 90.95 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Clarksville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Clarksville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,059.45 | $4,591 | $55,091 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $635.67 | $2,755 | $33,055 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $423.78 | $1,836 | $22,037 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Clarksville) | $26.49 |
| 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 Clarksville, TN earn a median of $55,084 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.45% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 9.60% above the Tennessee state average of $50,259.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.49/hr = $33,055/year (purchasing power: $36,345).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,091/year (purchasing power: $60,575).
CoL index: 90.947 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.13/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.47/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.49/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Clarksville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.13/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.93/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.14/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.20/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.65/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.89/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.47/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.49/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.54/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Clarksville grew 26.5% from $20.13/hr (2019) to $25.47/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.54/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 Clarksville 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 Clarksville
Analyzing part-time work, a welder in Clarksville working three days a week for 24 hours averages approximately $20,739 annually, in stark contrast to a full-time welder's income. For welders taking on per-diem assignments, the earning potential can soar, particularly for traveling pipe welders commanding rates of $40-$70 per hour along with daily per diem ranging from $80 to $175. Refineries during turnarounds can offer even higher hourly rates, anywhere from $50 to $80, and double-time pay on weekends. Different sectors, such as structural steel fabrication or aerospace, may also present unique pay structures, with trade-offs between higher hourly rates and benefits like health insurance. Understanding these dynamics allows welders to make informed decisions on employment; whether negotiating pay or hours, aligning workplace preferences with financial expectations is key to navigating the diverse pay scale for welders in Clarksville, TN.
More salary data for Clarksville, TN:
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 Clarksville. 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, 6-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