Welder Hourly Pay in Rockwall, TX: $23.35 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Rockwall, TX runs $23.35 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,561 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Rockwall's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.32 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,136 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Welders in Rockwall, Texas, can expect a median hourly rate of $23.35, which falls below the national median of $26.87. This rate provides a foundation for various working arrangements, such as part-time positions typically spanning three days a week in demanding environments like fabrication shops or refinery sites. With entry-level welders earning approximately $18.27 and top-tier professionals making up to $32.86 per hour, opportunities exist across a spectrum of employer types. These may include mobile rig setups for independent contractors and large-scale industrial sites. The estimated hourly rates are derived from projected annual salaries, illustrating how hourly pay can differ and emphasizing that skilled trades often offer pathways for significant income, particularly via overtime and specialized certifications.
About the Rockwall 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) | $18.27 | $146.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.97 | $167.80 |
| Median (P50) | $23.35 | $186.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.17 | $217.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $32.86 | $262.89 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rockwall
Based on $23.35/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.35/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rockwall, TX can expect to earn approximately $48,559 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,015. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rockwall.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rockwall
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $933.83 | $4,047 | $48,559 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $560.30 | $2,428 | $29,136 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $373.53 | $1,619 | $19,424 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Rockwall) | $23.35 |
| 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 Rockwall, TX earn a median of $48,561 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.12% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 3.90% below the Texas state average of $50,532.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.35/hr = $29,136/year (purchasing power: $30,349).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,559/year (purchasing power: $50,582).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.75/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.45/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.35/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Rockwall (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.75/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.46/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.63/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.86/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.44/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.96/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.45/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.35/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.28/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Rockwall grew 26.5% from $17.75/hr (2019) to $22.45/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.28/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 Rockwall 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 Rockwall
Evaluating the income potential for part-time welders reveals possible earnings that can significantly deviate from full-time counterparts. For those working three days a week, a 24-hour work schedule translates to approximately $28,000 annually before taxes, a figure that might appeal to individuals seeking flexible arrangements. However, per diem opportunities should not be overlooked; many traveling welders can command an additional per diem pay ranging from $80 to $175 daily on top of their hourly wage, amplifying earnings in lucrative projects like pipeline welding or refinery turnarounds. Notably, rig welder owner-operators can charge between $90 and $160 per hour, often without the benefits associated with traditional employment. When exploring roles within Rockwall's diverse welding sector, professionals must weigh the trade-offs between lower hourly rates with health benefits against higher wages with fewer supports. Successful negotiation skills can play a pivotal role in determining one's position within this dynamic market.
More salary data for Rockwall, 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 Rockwall. 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 Rockwall 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