Welder Hourly Pay in Columbia, TN: $23.54 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Columbia, TN runs $23.54 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,969 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Columbia's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.65 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,382 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Columbia, TN, the welder hourly pay stands at a median of $23.54, which is approximately 12.39% lower than the national median of $26.87. This hourly rate is particularly relevant for welders working in various settings, such as fabrication shops, pipelines, and shipyards. For those considering part-time roles, such as three days a week, earnings could sum up to a modest yet steady income, while per-diem opportunities allow for lucrative compensation in traveling positions. The hourly range for welders in the area varies significantly, with entry-level welders starting around $17.02 and top earners potentially reaching up to $33.70, reflecting diverse skill levels and job environments. As the demand for skilled labor rises, embedded in the context of aging professionals in the field, such pay scales may be attractive for newcomers and seasoned welders alike.
About the Columbia Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.02 | $136.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.11 | $160.89 |
| Median (P50) | $23.54 | $188.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.82 | $222.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $33.70 | $269.63 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Columbia
Based on $23.54/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.54/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Columbia, TN can expect to earn approximately $48,970 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,252. With a cost-of-living index of 91.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Columbia.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Columbia
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $941.73 | $4,081 | $48,970 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $565.04 | $2,449 | $29,382 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $376.69 | $1,632 | $19,588 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Columbia) | $23.54 |
| 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 Columbia, TN earn a median of $48,969 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.39% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 2.50% below the Tennessee state average of $50,225.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.54/hr = $29,382/year (purchasing power: $32,007).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,970/year (purchasing power: $53,344).
CoL index: 91.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.90/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.64/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.54/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Columbia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.90/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.61/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.80/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.02/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.61/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.65/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.64/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.54/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.48/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Columbia grew 26.5% from $17.90/hr (2019) to $22.64/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.48/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 Columbia 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 Columbia
Part-time welders, working 24 hours a week, in Columbia could expect to earn around $26,000 annually based on a three-day schedule. This contrasts sharply with full-time welders who can approach a much higher annual figure based on consistent hours. For welders who take on per-diem or agency jobs, the stakes can be even greater; for instance, traveling pipe welders often make between $80 and $175 daily in per-diem on top of a base rate of $40 to $70 per hour. During high-demand refinery shutdowns, welders might command $50 to $80 per hour, sometimes reaching double-time on weekends. Those who own and operate their own rigs may charge from $90 to $160 per hour, tapping into niche markets that require specialized skills like underwater welding, which can yield $1,000 to $3,000 per day during peak seasons. Employers in Columbia span a wide spectrum, from structural steel fabricators to petrochemical plants, each presenting unique compensation packages. Additionally, welders often need to weigh the benefits of health insurance against higher wages offered without such perks, emphasizing the importance of negotiation when assessing their hourly rates for long-term financial stability.
More salary data for Columbia, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for welders in Columbia 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 Columbia. 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 Columbia 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