Welder Hourly Pay in Galveston, TX: $24.36 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Galveston, TX runs $24.36 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,675 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Galveston's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.38 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,407 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the welder hourly pay in Galveston, Texas, is projected to reach a median of $24.36, which falls behind the national median of $26.87. This hourly rate offers various opportunities for those looking for part-time roles or per-diem work, typically seen in settings such as fabrication shop production lines, pipeline trench welding stations, and shipyard hull welding bays. With an hourly range from $17.39 at entry-level positions to $34.83 for seasoned welders, the earning potential can vary significantly based on experience and job requirements. For welders working on specialized projects, the hourly rates can provide attractive compensation, especially with the demand for skilled labor in Galveston’s diverse job market.
About the Galveston 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) | $17.39 | $139.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.75 | $165.97 |
| Median (P50) | $24.36 | $194.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.53 | $228.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.83 | $278.61 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Galveston
Based on $24.36/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.36/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Galveston, TX can expect to earn approximately $50,679 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,238. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Galveston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Galveston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $974.59 | $4,223 | $50,679 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $584.76 | $2,534 | $30,407 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $389.84 | $1,689 | $20,272 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Galveston) | $24.36 |
| 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 Galveston, TX earn a median of $50,675 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.34% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 0.30% above the Texas state average of $50,524.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.36/hr = $30,407/year (purchasing power: $31,674).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,679/year (purchasing power: $52,791).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.52/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.43/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.36/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Galveston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.52/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.26/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.49/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.72/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.33/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.00/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.43/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.36/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.34/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Galveston grew 26.5% from $18.52/hr (2019) to $23.43/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.34/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 Galveston 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 Galveston
When considering part-time work, a welder in Galveston might earn around $24,000 annually if working three days a week. However, full-time welders generally earn significantly more, reinforcing the allure of full-time positions. Many traveling pipe welders, for instance, can command base rates of $40-$70/hr along with daily per diem pay ranging from $80 to $175, depending on the job's location and conditions. In particular, refinery turnaround welders can earn between $50-$80/hr plus overtime, while specialized roles such as underwater welders see dramatically higher earnings, sometimes reaching up to $3,000 per day. The variation in hourly rates can also reflect the type of employer, with structural steel fabrication shops and oil and gas companies often offering more competitive wages. While some welders might opt for lower pay with benefits, others may prioritize higher pay without such coverage. For those actively seeking work, negotiating hourly rates based on skills and experience, especially in a city like Galveston with a growing demand for welding services, can be crucial to maximizing earnings.
More salary data for Galveston, 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 Galveston. 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 Galveston 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