Welder Hourly Pay in Hampton, VA: $28.68 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Hampton, VA runs $28.68 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,645 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Hampton's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $27.79 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,793 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hampton, Virginia, welders earn a median hourly pay of $28.68, significantly higher than the national average of $26.87. This competitive rate is particularly advantageous for those working part-time, typically spanning three days a week, allowing welders to balance personal commitments while still earning a respectable income. Per-diem welders can expect to work in various settings, such as fabrication shops or pipeline operations, where they might earn between $21.26 and $42.32 per hour. Entry-level welders might be on the lower end of this spectrum, while seasoned professionals or those with specialized certifications, such as 6G, can achieve rates closer to the upper end. As these figures are projected for 2026, aspiring welders in the area can feel optimistic about their earning potential in a city that values skilled labor like welding.
About the Hampton Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.26 | $170.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.06 | $200.49 |
| Median (P50) | $28.68 | $229.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.80 | $278.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.32 | $338.59 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hampton
Based on $28.68/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.68/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hampton, VA can expect to earn approximately $59,655 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,417. With a cost-of-living index of 103.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Hampton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hampton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,147.22 | $4,971 | $59,655 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $688.33 | $2,983 | $35,793 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $458.89 | $1,989 | $23,862 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Hampton) | $28.68 |
| 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 Hampton, VA earn a median of $59,645 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.71% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 0.10% below the Virginia state average of $59,704.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.68/hr = $35,793/year (purchasing power: $34,683).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,655/year (purchasing power: $57,806).
CoL index: 103.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$21.80/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.58/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.68/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Hampton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.80/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.67/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.12/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.39/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.11/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.77/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.58/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.68/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.82/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Hampton grew 26.5% from $21.80/hr (2019) to $27.58/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.82/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 Hampton 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 Hampton
For those considering part-time welding in Hampton, working just 24 hours per week can yield a robust annual income compared to full-time positions, particularly for those who also partake in per-diem opportunities. Traveling welders, especially in oil and gas pipeline sectors, commonly see daily per diem compensation ranging from $80 to $175, adding significant value to their base pay of $40 to $70 per hour. Furthermore, welders engaged in refinery turnarounds can earn $50 to $80 per hour, with opportunities for double-time during weekends. The variation in hourly rates reflects the diverse employer landscape—ranging from structural steel shops to shipyards—where welders can choose between job security with benefits or higher pay rates that lack health coverage. Negotiation skills play a vital role; welders in Hampton should feel comfortable discussing their hourly pay in relation to their certifications and the demand for skilled work, particularly in this aging workforce scenario projected by the AWS, resulting in a continually high demand for experienced welders.
More salary data for Hampton, VA:
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 Hampton. 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 Hampton 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