Welder Hourly Pay in Del Rio, TX: $23.91 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Del Rio, TX runs $23.91 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,734 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Del Rio's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.90 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,836 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the welder hourly pay in Del Rio, Texas, is projected to be around $23.91, which is significantly lower than the national median hourly rate of $26.87. This hourly rate is relevant to various work settings in the welding profession, including fabrication shops, pipeline trench welding, and manufacturing production cells. For part-time welders working three days a week, this could translate to a yearly income that still allows for a decent living, especially given Del Rio's cost of living index of 96, which is below the national average. Entry-level welders can expect to earn around $17.67 per hour, while experienced or specialized welders might reach up to $32.39 per hour. The projected pay range underscores both the opportunities and challenges faced by welders in the area, with the potential for self-employed mobile rig welders to further influence their earnings based on skills, location, and demand.
About the Del Rio Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.67 | $141.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.73 | $165.80 |
| Median (P50) | $23.91 | $191.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.11 | $216.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $32.39 | $259.14 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Del Rio
Based on $23.91/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.91/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Del Rio, TX can expect to earn approximately $49,727 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,689. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Del Rio.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Del Rio
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $956.29 | $4,144 | $49,727 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $573.78 | $2,486 | $29,836 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $382.52 | $1,658 | $19,891 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Del Rio) | $23.91 |
| 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 Del Rio, TX earn a median of $49,734 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.02% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 1.60% below the Texas state average of $50,543.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.91/hr = $29,836/year (purchasing power: $31,079).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,727/year (purchasing power: $51,799).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.17/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.99/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.91/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Del Rio (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.17/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.90/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.11/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.33/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.93/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.54/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.99/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.91/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.86/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Del Rio grew 26.5% from $18.17/hr (2019) to $22.99/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.86/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 Del Rio 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 Del Rio
Examining the earning potential for welders reveals varied opportunities depending on the type of employment. A part-time welder working a 24-hour week could earn approximately $18,700 annually, compared to full-time welders potentially earning close to $49,734, showing a clear financial advantage to full-time positions. Per diem welding opportunities add another layer to the earnings picture; traveling welders often receive between $40-$70 per hour, supplemented by daily per diem pay ranging from $80 to $175. This is particularly true for refinery turnaround welders, who can command rates between $50 and $80 per hour, especially during shutdown periods. Higher hourly rates can be negotiated based on experience, certifications such as the 6G pipe certification, or the specific type of welding being performed, whether it’s structural steel fabrication or nuclear plant maintenance. For those accepting lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits, the trade-off can impact overall satisfaction and financial stability, highlighting the importance of individual priorities when choosing employment in Del Rio's welding sector.
More salary data for Del Rio, 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 Del Rio. 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 Del Rio 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