Welder Hourly Pay in Fort Worth, TX: $25.64 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Fort Worth, TX runs $25.64 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $53,340 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Fort Worth's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.71 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,004 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Welders in Fort Worth, TX can expect a median hourly pay of $25.64 in 2026, which is slightly lower than the national hourly median of $26.87. This rate is significant for both part-time and per-diem workers operating in settings such as fabrication shop production lines, pipeline welding stations, and shipyards. For those seeking part-time work at three days a week, this equates to approximately 24 hours, meaning they could expect to bring home about $1,404 bi-weekly without benefits. The range of welder pay in this region varies, offering entry-level positions starting around $18.65 and reaching as high as $39.20 for experienced professionals. These estimates stem from annual salary projections, reflecting the competitive landscape for welders in Fort Worth, where skilled tradespeople play a vital role in key industries.
About the Fort Worth 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) | $18.65 | $149.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.22 | $177.78 |
| Median (P50) | $25.64 | $205.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.13 | $249.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.20 | $313.63 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fort Worth
Based on $25.64/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.64/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fort Worth, TX can expect to earn approximately $53,339 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,773. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fort Worth.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fort Worth
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,025.76 | $4,445 | $53,339 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $615.45 | $2,667 | $32,004 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $410.30 | $1,778 | $21,336 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Fort Worth) | $25.64 |
| 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 Fort Worth, TX earn a median of $53,340 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.57% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 5.60% above the Texas state average of $50,511.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.64/hr = $32,004/year (purchasing power: $33,337).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $53,339/year (purchasing power: $55,562).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.49/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.66/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.64/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Fort Worth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.49/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.27/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.57/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.81/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.45/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.74/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.66/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.64/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.67/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Fort Worth grew 26.5% from $19.49/hr (2019) to $24.66/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.67/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 Fort Worth 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 Fort Worth
In terms of earning potential, part-time welders who work three days a week might face a trade-off in their financial outlook compared to full-timers. For instance, those working the typical hours could earn around $36,432 annually, while full-time welders reap the benefits of more consistent income. Per-diem opportunities present exciting possibilities, especially for traveling welders who might receive $80-$175 per day in addition to a base rate of $40-$70 per hour. During refinery turnarounds, welders can expect $50-$80 per hour plus double-time on weekends, illustrating a lucrative earning potential during peak demand periods. Across employer types, hourly rates can vary considerably; welders in oil and gas, defense, and nuclear sectors often command higher wages. In negotiating hourly pay, considerations may include balancing pay rates against benefits like health insurance, which can influence decisions for many in the trade.
More salary data for Fort Worth, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Fort Worth. 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 Fort Worth 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