Welder Hourly Pay in Nashville, TN: $24.73 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Nashville, TN runs $24.73 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,433 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Nashville's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.3, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.67 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,862 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Nashville, TN, the projected median hourly pay for welders in 2026 stands at $24.73. This figure positions the city's welders below the national median of $26.87, reflecting a potential regional wage gap. For those in part-time roles, such as working three days a week, this equates to an approximate income of just under $39,000 annually, which may limit financial flexibility. Welders typically operate in various settings, including fabrication shops, pipeline operations, and shipyard production lines, where the hourly pay structure can vary significantly. The hourly rate ranges from $20.11 for entry-level positions to $34.24 for experienced welders, ensuring that all skill levels have opportunities in the market. These insights stem from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, projected to 2026, highlighting the dynamics of welder hourly rate TN.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.11 | $160.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.87 | $174.95 |
| Median (P50) | $24.73 | $197.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.54 | $244.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.24 | $273.95 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Nashville
Based on $24.73/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.73/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Nashville, TN can expect to earn approximately $51,436 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,675. With a cost-of-living index of 96.34 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Nashville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Nashville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $989.15 | $4,286 | $51,436 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $593.49 | $2,572 | $30,862 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $395.66 | $1,715 | $20,574 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Nashville) | $24.73 |
| 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 Nashville, TN earn a median of $51,433 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.98% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 2.40% above the Tennessee state average of $50,228.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.73/hr = $30,862/year (purchasing power: $32,035).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,436/year (purchasing power: $53,391).
CoL index: 96.338 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.01/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.78/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.73/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Nashville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.01/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.65/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.42/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.56/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.65/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.36/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.78/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.73/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.72/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Nashville grew 18.8% from $20.01/hr (2019) to $23.78/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.72/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 Nashville 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 Nashville
Analyzing the wage structure further reveals interesting earning potentials associated with part-time and per-diem work. A welder working 24 hours per week can take home a reasonable income, but dedicated full-time roles often yield higher annual earnings, especially in specialized sectors. Per diem welders in Nashville can expect daily compensation ranging from $80 to $175 on top of a base pay averaging between $40 and $70 per hour. During refinery turnarounds, rates can soar to $50 to $80 per hour, with additional double-time on weekends being commonplace. Factors like employer type considerably influence hourly rates, with welders in the oil and gas industry, aerospace, or nuclear sectors commanding top dollar. Meanwhile, benefits play a crucial role in negotiations; welders may opt for lower hourly rates with healthcare plans or pursue higher pay without such benefits. For Nashville welders, understanding market dynamics and honing negotiation skills can significantly impact their earning trajectory.
More salary data for Nashville, 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 Nashville. 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, 7-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