Welder Hourly Pay in Longview, TX: $26.14 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Longview, TX runs $26.14 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $54,387 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Longview's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.5, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.22 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,627 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Longview, TX, welders can expect to earn a median hourly pay of $26.14, slightly below the national median of $26.87. This hourly rate offers a solid livelihood for those in the profession, making it feasible for both full-time and part-time workers. For part-timers working three days a week, this rate translates into a respectable income, allowing for flexibility while still providing a living wage. Entry-level welders can start at around $19.35 per hour, while top earners in specialized roles may take home as much as $36.19 per hour. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS projections for 2026, reflects a competitive pay environment for welders operating in diverse settings such as fabrication shops, refinery platforms, and mobile rig setups across Longview.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.35 | $154.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.67 | $181.36 |
| Median (P50) | $26.14 | $209.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.38 | $243.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.19 | $289.51 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Longview
Based on $26.14/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.14/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Longview, TX can expect to earn approximately $54,378 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,372. With a cost-of-living index of 89.48 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Longview.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Longview
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,045.72 | $4,531 | $54,378 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $627.43 | $2,719 | $32,627 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $418.29 | $1,813 | $21,751 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Longview) | $26.14 |
| 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 Longview, TX earn a median of $54,387 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.70% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 7.70% above the Texas state average of $50,498.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.14/hr = $32,627/year (purchasing power: $36,460).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $54,378/year (purchasing power: $60,767).
CoL index: 89.485 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.57/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.14/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.14/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Longview (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.57/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.17/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.29/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.74/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.88/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.66/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.14/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.14/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.19/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Longview grew 16.6% from $21.57/hr (2019) to $25.14/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.19/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 Longview 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 Longview
Within the context of part-time employment, welders who work a 24-hour week could realistically take home around $32,774 annually, a substantial amount compared to a full-time position. Many traveling pipe welders can increase their earnings through per diem packages, which typically range from $80 to $175 daily, significantly boosting their overall pay. Similarly, during refinery shutdowns, welders can command hourly rates of $50 to $80, with double-time offered on weekends enhancing their earning potential. For rig welder owner-operators, billing rates can reach $90 to $160 per hour depending on equipment needs. The trade-offs between higher hourly rates without benefits versus stable positions with health insurance are common considerations in negotiations. In a city like Longview, understanding how to leverage skills and certifications, such as AWS or NCCER, can help welders maximize their hourly wages effectively amidst varying employer demands.
More salary data for Longview, 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 Longview. 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