Welder Hourly Pay in Lancaster, TX: $23.54 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Lancaster, TX runs $23.54 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,977 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Lancaster's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.52 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,382 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lancaster, TX, the welder hourly pay is projected to reach $23.54 in 2026, which falls short of the national median hourly rate of $26.87. For part-time welders working 3 days a week, this would translate into a weekly income of approximately $282 for 24 hours. In various settings, such as manufacturing production cells and structural steel fabrication shops, the income can vary significantly based on skill level and experience. Entry-level positions might see pay starting at around $16.82, while seasoned professionals and those in top roles can earn as much as $33.54 hourly. This range reflects the diverse opportunities available for welders in Lancaster, where unique positions in pipeline trench welding and refinery turnaround crews can also influence earning potentials.
About the Lancaster 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) | $16.82 | $134.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.40 | $171.21 |
| Median (P50) | $23.54 | $188.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.65 | $221.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $33.54 | $268.29 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lancaster
Based on $23.54/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.54/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lancaster, TX can expect to earn approximately $48,970 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,252. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lancaster.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lancaster
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $941.73 | $4,081 | $48,970 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $565.04 | $2,449 | $29,382 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $376.69 | $1,632 | $19,588 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Lancaster) | $23.54 |
| 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 Lancaster, TX earn a median of $48,977 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.38% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 3.10% below the Texas state average of $50,544.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.54/hr = $29,382/year (purchasing power: $30,606).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,970/year (purchasing power: $51,011).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.90/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.64/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.54/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Lancaster (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.90/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.61/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.80/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.02/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.61/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.16/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.64/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.54/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.48/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Lancaster grew 26.5% from $17.90/hr (2019) to $22.64/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.48/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 Lancaster 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 Lancaster
A practical analysis of part-time employment reveals that a welder working 3 days a week could take home roughly $14,664 yearly, significantly less than their full-time counterparts. Many traveling welders engage in per diem work, earning between $80-$175 per day, with base hourly rates of $40-$70, depending on the job complexity and location. Specializations can further boost earnings; for instance, refinery turnaround welders might command rates of $50-$80 per hour during shutdowns, while rig welder owner-operators bill $90-$160 hourly, factoring in the costs of equipment. This industry is marked by variations in pay driven by employer types, from oil and gas to aerospace, where certain positions require lucrative certifications like 6G pipe welding. While some welders may prefer jobs offering lower pay for health benefits, negotiation tactics can aid in achieving better wages. Understanding the demand dynamics, especially with an aging workforce predicted by AWS to decrease available labor, can give welders in Lancaster an edge in securing favorable employment terms.
More salary data for Lancaster, 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 Lancaster. 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 Lancaster 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