Welder Hourly Pay in El Paso, TX: $22.49 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in El Paso, TX runs $22.49 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $46,796 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against El Paso's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.9, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.02 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,071 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In El Paso, Texas, the welder hourly pay is projected to be $22.49 in 2026, which falls short of the national average of $26.87. This difference may influence the decisions of part-time workers and those seeking per-diem opportunities, making it essential for welders to evaluate potential earnings in diverse settings such as fabrication shops, pipeline welding stations, and manufacturing facilities. For individuals working three days a week, the median pay translates into approximately $1,079 for a typical 24-hour work week. Entry-level welders earn around $14.68 per hour, while more experienced professionals in the field can reach up to $32.12, showcasing a significant income disparity within the industry based on experience and specialization.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $14.68 | $117.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.74 | $141.93 |
| Median (P50) | $22.49 | $179.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $26.00 | $207.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $32.12 | $256.98 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in El Paso
Based on $22.49/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.49/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in El Paso, TX can expect to earn approximately $46,786 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,992. With a cost-of-living index of 89.91 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in El Paso.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in El Paso
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $899.72 | $3,899 | $46,786 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $539.83 | $2,339 | $28,071 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $359.89 | $1,560 | $18,714 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (El Paso) | $22.49 |
| 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 El Paso, TX earn a median of $46,796 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.28% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 7.40% below the Texas state average of $50,535.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.49/hr = $28,071/year (purchasing power: $31,221).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $46,786/year (purchasing power: $52,035).
CoL index: 89.912 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.79/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.63/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.49/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in El Paso (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.79/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.95/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.52/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.92/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.12/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.53/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.63/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.49/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.39/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in El Paso grew 21.6% from $17.79/hr (2019) to $21.63/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.39/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 El Paso 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 El Paso
For those considering part-time work, the contrast in annual income compared to full-time welders is notable. A part-time welder earning the median hourly rate could take home around $56,108 annually, significantly lower than the full-time potential. However, welders often seek per-diem opportunities to boost their income. Traveling pipe welders may receive base rates of $40-$70 per hour, along with daily per-diem pay ranging from $80 to $175. Additionally, during refinery turnaround projects, welders could make between $50-$80 per hour plus overtime rates on weekends, indicating lucrative possibilities for skilled professionals. The diversity in employer types—from structural steel fabrication to aerospace—also impacts earnings. As welders navigate hourly versus salaried positions, assessing benefits such as health insurance may significantly influence their job choices. Understanding these nuances in the El Paso welder market helps individuals negotiate better terms and make informed career decisions.
More salary data for El Paso, 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 El Paso. 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