Welders Salary

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.

$53,340
Median Annual Salary
$25.64/hr
Hourly Rate
$38,774
Entry Level (P10)
$81,551
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Welder Hourly Rate in Fort Worth, TX — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Fort Worth, TX welder hourly rate overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

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

PercentileHourly RatePer 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.

Horizontal bars showing a welder in Fort Worth earning $25.64/hr would make approximately $30,773 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $53,339 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$30,773Reduced (32 hr/wk)$41,030Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$53,339

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.

Annual estimates assume 5052 working weeks per year. Actual earnings vary by employer, overtime, and benefits.

Hourly Rate Calculator

$205.15
per 8hr shift
$1,025.76
per week
$4,445
per month
$53,339
per year

Schedule Comparison in Fort Worth

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
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

RoleMedian 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
Horizontal bar chart comparing welder median salary in Fort Worth ($53,340) with Texas average ($50,511) and the US national median ($55,895).Fort Worth$53,340Texas Avg$50,511+5.60%US National$55,895-4.57%

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 (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Hourly rate trajectory chart for welders in Fort Worth. Baseline $19.49/hr in 2025, projected to $26.67/hr by 2027.$18$21$23$26$282019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$19.49$20.27$21.57$21.81$22.45$26.74$24.66$25.64$26.67
YearHourly RateStatus
2019$19.49/hrActual
2020$20.27/hrActual
2021$21.57/hrActual
2022$21.81/hrActual
2023$22.45/hrActual
2024$26.74/hrActual
2025$24.66/hrActual
2026(current)$25.64/hrEstimated
2027$26.67/hrProjected

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 (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Worth metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for welders in Fort Worth in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for welders in Fort Worth is $25.64/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 3.99% annual growth). Rates range from $18.65 at entry level (10th percentile) to $39.20 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 4.6% below the national average. Hourly pay varies based on practice type, patient volume, years of experience, and whether the position includes benefits.

How much do part-time welders make in Fort Worth?

A part-time welder working 3 days per week (24 hours) in Fort Worth earns approximately $2,667/month, or $32,004/year at the median hourly rate of $25.64. Many welders prefer part-time schedules for work-life balance, and some work at multiple practices to maximize earnings. Part-time positions may not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions, but typically offer higher hourly rates to compensate.

Are welders in Fort Worth paid hourly or salary?

The majority of welders in Fort Worth are paid hourly at a median rate of $25.64/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $53,339/year, often bundled with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. Hourly pay gives flexibility, while salary positions provide income stability.

How much does a full-time welder make per year in Fort Worth?

A full-time welder working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in Fort Worth earns approximately $53,339/year at the median hourly rate of $25.64. This is 4.6% below the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $81,545/year at the 90th percentile rate. Overtime and weekend shifts may further increase annual earnings.

Do welders earn more per hour working part-time in Fort Worth?

Part-time and per diem welders in Fort Worth sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $39.20/hour — because practices need flexible coverage for specific days or peak hours. However, part-time positions typically do not include benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. When factoring in the value of benefits, full-time salaried positions may offer comparable or better total compensation despite a slightly lower hourly rate.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Texas

JM

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.

Clinically reviewed by Priya Singh, CWIData verified by Liam O'Connor, Welding Instructor

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).

View estimation methodology

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

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