Welder Hourly Pay in La Vergne, TN: $23.08 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in La Vergne, TN runs $23.08 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,990 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against La Vergne's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.14 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,798 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In La Vergne, TN, welders can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $23.08, significantly below the national average of $26.87. This disparity may impact part-time or per-diem workers, who often fill roles in fabrication shops, pipeline trench welding, and various manufacturing environments. For someone working three days a week, or 24 hours, at this hourly rate, the earnings can be quite substantial, even on a part-time schedule. Entry-level positions start at around $17.81 per hour, while experienced welders and those in specialized fields can command rates as high as $32.20. Such hourly rates are derived from the projected annual data reflecting the demand and importance of welding skills across industrial sectors in La Vergne.
About the La Vergne 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) | $17.81 | $142.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.55 | $164.39 |
| Median (P50) | $23.08 | $184.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $26.68 | $213.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $32.20 | $257.56 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in La Vergne
Based on $23.08/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.08/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in La Vergne, TN can expect to earn approximately $47,997 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,690. With a cost-of-living index of 91.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in La Vergne.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in La Vergne
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $923.02 | $4,000 | $47,997 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $553.81 | $2,400 | $28,798 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $369.21 | $1,600 | $19,199 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (La Vergne) | $23.08 |
| 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 La Vergne, TN earn a median of $47,990 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.14% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 4.50% below the Tennessee state average of $50,252.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.08/hr = $28,798/year (purchasing power: $31,370).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,997/year (purchasing power: $52,284).
CoL index: 91.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.54/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.19/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.08/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in La Vergne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.54/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.24/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.41/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.63/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.20/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.23/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.19/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.08/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.00/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in La Vergne grew 26.5% from $17.54/hr (2019) to $22.19/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.00/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 La Vergne 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 La Vergne
Exploring earning potentials, a welder working part-time in La Vergne could realistically annualize their income based on a 3-day workweek, potentially bringing home approximately $28,806, a notable contrast to full-time earnings. For welders who seek to maximize their profitability through per-diem arrangements, the financial landscape becomes even more lucrative. Traveling welders often receive base pay ranging from $40 to $70 per hour, augmented by daily per diem rates of $80 to $175, which can greatly enhance overall earnings. Seasonal work, especially in high-demand areas like refinery turnarounds, can push hourly compensation to $50-$80, with double-time often available on weekends. Within the local workforce, costs and benefits vary significantly; for instance, some welders might accept a lower hourly pay in exchange for health insurance, while others prefer higher wages without benefits. Negotiating pay rates in La Vergne requires a comprehensive understanding of these dynamics, given the variable hourly rates dependent on specific employment settings such as structural fabrication, shipyards, or nuclear plants.
More salary data for La Vergne, 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 La Vergne. 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 La Vergne 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