Welder Hourly Pay in Mission, TX: $20.03 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Mission, TX runs $20.03 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $41,663 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Mission's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $20.86 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,996 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Mission, Texas, welders can expect a median hourly rate of $20.03, which is significantly lower than the national hourly median of $26.87. This disparity highlights the localized nature of the labor market. Welders in Mission can find themselves in diverse settings, from fabrication shop production lines to pipeline trench welding stations. For part-time workers, particularly those operating three days a week, the earnings translate to about $20,000 annually, which can be quite limiting. The hourly pay range reflects varying experience levels, with entry-level welders earning around $14.18, while seasoned professionals may reach up to $29.73 per hour. These figures are derived from projected annual salary data for 2026, emphasizing the variability and opportunity that comes with welding in different work environments.
About the Mission 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) | $14.18 | $113.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $16.95 | $135.60 |
| Median (P50) | $20.03 | $160.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.93 | $183.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.73 | $237.85 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Mission
Based on $20.03/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $20.03/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Mission, TX can expect to earn approximately $41,659 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $24,034. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Mission.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Mission
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $801.14 | $3,472 | $41,659 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $480.68 | $2,083 | $24,996 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $320.46 | $1,389 | $16,664 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Mission) | $20.03 |
| 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 Mission, TX earn a median of $41,663 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.46% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 17.50% below the Texas state average of $50,500.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $20.03/hr = $24,996/year (purchasing power: $26,037).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $41,659/year (purchasing power: $43,395).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.23/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$19.26/hr
2026 Current Est.
$20.03/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Mission (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.23/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.83/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.84/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.03/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.54/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.89/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $19.26/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20.03/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.83/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Mission grew 26.5% from $15.23/hr (2019) to $19.26/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.83/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 Mission 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 Mission
Focusing on part-time welding roles, a welder working 3 days a week accumulates fewer hours and thus earns less annually compared to full-time positions. For example, a welder putting in 24 hours can expect around $20,000, which is a stark contrast to full-time wages. Traveling welders, frequently regarded as per diem welders in Mission, often benefit from additional financial incentives ranging from $80 to $175 daily, allowing them to boost their earnings significantly. These professionals can command base hourly rates of $40 to $70, which makes the welding profession appealing for those willing to travel. Various employer types in Mission, such as structural steel fabrication shops and oil and gas pipeline companies, drive the pay differences. Some welders may opt for lower hourly rates that include health benefits, whereas those who prefer higher pay might sacrifice benefits altogether. Negotiating effectively based on experience, certifications like AWS and NQA-1, and market demand can help welders enhance their hourly rate in this competitive industry.
More salary data for Mission, 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 Mission. 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 Mission 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