Welder Hourly Pay in Abilene, TX: $24.08 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Abilene, TX runs $24.08 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,082 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Abilene's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.65 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,057 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Abilene, Texas, the welder hourly pay stands at a median of $24.08 per hour, which is notably lower than the national median of $26.87 per hour, reflecting regional market dynamics. This rate is critical for part-time welders, often working on job sites such as refinery turnaround scaffold platforms or mobile rig setups, where their earnings can fluctuate significantly based on the number of days worked. For example, a welder working three days a week would earn about $290.40 weekly, while those engaged in intensive projects like pipeline trench welding could see variances in daily pay depending on project specifications. The wage range for entry-level to experienced welders in Abilene varies significantly, with the lower percentile earning around $17.94 per hour and the top earners making up to $33.81 per hour, according to projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.94 | $143.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.74 | $181.94 |
| Median (P50) | $24.08 | $192.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.90 | $239.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $33.81 | $270.46 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Abilene
Based on $24.08/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.08/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Abilene, TX can expect to earn approximately $50,095 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,901. With a cost-of-living index of 90.36 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Abilene.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Abilene
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $963.36 | $4,175 | $50,095 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $578.02 | $2,505 | $30,057 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $385.35 | $1,670 | $20,038 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Abilene) | $24.08 |
| 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 Abilene, TX earn a median of $50,082 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.40% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 0.90% below the Texas state average of $50,536.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.08/hr = $30,057/year (purchasing power: $33,262).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,095/year (purchasing power: $55,437).
CoL index: 90.364 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.12/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.16/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.08/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Abilene (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.12/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.31/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.67/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.79/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.72/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.28/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.16/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.08/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.05/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Abilene grew 21.1% from $19.12/hr (2019) to $23.16/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.05/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 Abilene 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 Abilene
When considering the potential for part-time welders in Abilene, those working a 24-hour week might bring home approximately $15,157 annually, which contrasts sharply with the earnings of full-time welders. The per diem scene also offers significant opportunities; traveling pipe welders often receive additional compensation ranging from $80 to $175 per day, supplementing their hourly wages that can range from $40 to $70. During peak shutdown periods, refinery welders command rates of $50 to $80 an hour, with options for double pay on weekends. Alternatively, rig welder owner-operators can charge $90 to $160 per hour. Welders must weigh the benefits of stable hourly work, which might come with health insurance, against potentially higher hourly rates without benefits. Negotiating skills become essential in this market, particularly through understanding the differences across various employer types, whether structural fabrication, oil and gas pipelines, or self-owned endeavors, each affecting wage rates and overall income.
More salary data for Abilene, TX:
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 Abilene. 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