Welder Hourly Pay in Brownsville, TX: $22.50 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Brownsville, TX runs $22.50 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $46,816 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Brownsville's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.0, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.17 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,084 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Brownsville, TX, the welder hourly pay is projected to reach $22.50 in 2026. This figure is approximately 16.24% lower than the national hourly median of $26.87, which can impact the decision of welders considering job opportunities in the area. For part-time welders working three days a week, this translates to a modest income that offers flexibility, while full-time positions provide a steadier financial foundation. The hourly pay ranges from $15.12 for entry-level welders to about $38.35 for those at the top of their field, illustrating the potential earnings for seasoned professionals within various welding environments such as fabrication shops, pipeline welding sites, or manufacturing plants. These estimates are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, providing a reliable overview of the industry standards for welder hourly rates in Brownsville.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.12 | $120.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.02 | $144.17 |
| Median (P50) | $22.50 | $180.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.76 | $230.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.35 | $306.81 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Brownsville
Based on $22.50/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.50/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Brownsville, TX can expect to earn approximately $46,807 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,004. With a cost-of-living index of 85.97 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Brownsville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Brownsville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $900.14 | $3,901 | $46,807 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $540.08 | $2,340 | $28,084 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $360.05 | $1,560 | $18,723 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Brownsville) | $22.50 |
| 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 Brownsville, TX earn a median of $46,816 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.24% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 7.30% below the Texas state average of $50,503.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.50/hr = $28,084/year (purchasing power: $32,666).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $46,807/year (purchasing power: $54,443).
CoL index: 85.975 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.16/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.64/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.50/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+54.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Brownsville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.16/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.88/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.62/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.43/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.25/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.18/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.64/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.50/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.40/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Brownsville grew 42.7% from $15.16/hr (2019) to $21.64/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.40/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 Brownsville 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 Brownsville
Taking a closer look at part-time earning potential, a welder working 24 hours a week may expect to take home around $17,568 annually, compared to a full-time welder who could earn upward of $46,800 per year under typical conditions. For those in more specialized roles or with certifications, the per diem welder pay in Brownsville can be significantly higher; traveling welders often receive between $80 and $175 per day in addition to their base rates ranging from $40 to $70 per hour. During refinery shutdowns, rates can soar to $50 to $80 per hour with opportunities for double-time on weekends. Rig owner-operators might command billing rates of $90 to $160 per hour, factoring in their equipment costs and expertise. However, it's essential to weigh the benefits trade-off, as some welders might prefer lower hourly rates with stable health insurance versus higher-paying roles without benefits. For those negotiating hourly rates, emphasizing certifications like 6G pipe welding or NQA-1 can make a strong case for better pay within the diverse welding sectors in Brownsville.
More salary data for Brownsville, 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 Brownsville. 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