Welder Hourly Pay in Waco, TX: $23.19 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Waco, TX runs $23.19 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,231 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Waco's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.5, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,941 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Waco, TX, welders can expect a median hourly pay of $23.19, which is notably lower than the national median of $26.87. This wage reflects the variances in the local job market, leading to hourly rates that range from $19.12 at the entry level to as high as $31.38 for those at the top of their field. This hourly rate can significantly influence the financial viability for part-time workers, such as those taking on three-day workweeks, as well as per-diem welders who may be employed in settings like fabrication shops, pipeline projects, or refineries. For part-time welders, this could equate to a consistent schedule while allowing flexibility, and per-diem positions often enable welders to augment their income through additional daily allowances, which can range widely depending on the job demands and geographical factors.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.12 | $152.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.01 | $168.05 |
| Median (P50) | $23.19 | $185.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $26.27 | $210.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $31.38 | $251.07 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Waco
Based on $23.19/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.19/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Waco, TX can expect to earn approximately $48,235 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,828. With a cost-of-living index of 92.55 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Waco.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Waco
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $927.59 | $4,020 | $48,235 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $556.55 | $2,412 | $28,941 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $371.04 | $1,608 | $19,294 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Waco) | $23.19 |
| 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 Waco, TX earn a median of $48,231 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.71% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 4.50% below the Texas state average of $50,503.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.19/hr = $28,941/year (purchasing power: $31,270).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,235/year (purchasing power: $52,117).
CoL index: 92.55 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.27/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.30/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.19/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+32.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Waco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.27/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.79/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.67/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.58/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.85/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.10/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.30/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.19/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.12/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Waco grew 22.1% from $18.27/hr (2019) to $22.30/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.12/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 Waco 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 Waco
When considering the earnings potential in Waco for part-time welders working 24 hours weekly, the annual take-home can vary considerably compared to full-time positions, emphasizing the importance of consistent work and job reliability. Meanwhile, per diem welder pay in Waco often includes substantial daily allowances, with traveling pipe welders making between $40-$70 per hour alongside per-diem rates of $80-$175 per day. Special scenarios, such as refinery turnarounds, might see welders earning $50-$80 per hour plus double pay on weekends, while rig welders who own their setups can charge $90-$160 per hour. Employers across various sectors, including structural fabrication and oil and gas, can offer differing wages, influenced by the potential for health benefits that some welders weigh against higher hourly rates without them. Effective negotiation strategies are essential for hourly workers in Waco, focusing on transparency regarding skill level, certifications like AWS and NCCER, and an awareness of the local market demand.
More salary data for Waco, 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 Waco. 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