Welder Hourly Pay in Murfreesboro, TN: $24.29 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Murfreesboro, TN runs $24.29 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,523 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Murfreesboro's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.46 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,316 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Murfreesboro, TN, the anticipated welder hourly pay for 2026 stands at $24.29, reflecting a downward trend when compared to the national hourly median of $26.87. This median rate offers a solid foundation for part-time workers, particularly those engaging in three-day workweeks, which typically amounts to 24 hours. For per-diem welders, such as those operating in fabrication shops or on pipeline projects, the compensation can fluctuate considerably within the projected range of $17.75 to $35.52 per hour, depending on skill level and experience. Entry-level positions might start at around $17.75 an hour, while seasoned professionals can command up to $35.52. This range provides insight into the varying economic landscape for welders in different settings, from shipyards and manufacturing plants to independent mobile welding operations, highlighting the diverse realities within the profession.
About the Murfreesboro 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) | $17.75 | $142.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.04 | $168.30 |
| Median (P50) | $24.29 | $194.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.27 | $234.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.52 | $284.18 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Murfreesboro
Based on $24.29/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.29/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Murfreesboro, TN can expect to earn approximately $50,527 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,150. With a cost-of-living index of 91.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Murfreesboro.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Murfreesboro
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $971.68 | $4,211 | $50,527 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $583.01 | $2,526 | $30,316 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $388.67 | $1,684 | $20,211 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Murfreesboro) | $24.29 |
| 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 Murfreesboro, TN earn a median of $50,523 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.61% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 0.50% above the Tennessee state average of $50,271.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.29/hr = $30,316/year (purchasing power: $33,025).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,527/year (purchasing power: $55,041).
CoL index: 91.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.47/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.36/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.29/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Murfreesboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.47/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.21/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.43/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.66/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.27/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.02/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.36/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.29/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.26/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Murfreesboro grew 26.5% from $18.47/hr (2019) to $23.36/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.26/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 Murfreesboro 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 Murfreesboro
Amongst welders in Murfreesboro, the hourly earning potential remains robust. For those working part-time at three days a week, the annual take-home pay would be approximately $30,000, a significant difference when contrasted with full-time earnings. Furthermore, the reality of per-diem work proves lucrative for many in the field, especially for traveling pipe welders who can earn between $40-$70 per hour, combined with daily per diem payments ranging from $80 to $175. In specialized areas, such as refinery turnarounds or underwater welding, hourly rates soar considerably, with welders making anywhere from $50 to $160 per hour depending on the assignment and emergency call-outs.Employers in Murfreesboro, spanning various sectors from oil and gas to aerospace, often adopt unique pay structures, leading to a divergence in hourly rates. While accepting lower hourly wages may come with health benefits, many welders prioritize higher pay per hour, trading off benefits for increased take-home earnings. Effective negotiating techniques, such as clearly communicating experience and skills, can be instrumental for welders aiming to maximize their hourly compensation in this growing market.
More salary data for Murfreesboro, 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 Murfreesboro. 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 Murfreesboro 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