Welder Hourly Pay in Radford, VA: $29.33 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Radford, VA runs $29.33 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,998 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Radford's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $28.42 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,598 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Radford, VA, the projected median hourly pay for welders in 2026 is set at $29.33, which provides a competitive edge over the national hourly median of $26.87. This means that part-time welders working about three days a week can still carve out a decent living in various settings such as fabrication shops, pipeline welding stations, or shipyards. For those engaged in per-diem work, this hourly rate supports potential earnings that can vary widely based on assignment duration and location. Entry-level welders can expect to earn around $22.39 per hour, while more experienced professionals may reach up to $38.71 per hour. Such figures indicate a promising financial outlook for the welding profession in this region, especially considering the strong demand for skilled labor across multiple industries.
About the Radford 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) | $22.39 | $179.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.07 | $216.55 |
| Median (P50) | $29.33 | $234.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.80 | $262.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.71 | $309.64 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Radford
Based on $29.33/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.33/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Radford, VA can expect to earn approximately $60,996 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,190. With a cost-of-living index of 103.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Radford.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Radford
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,173.01 | $5,083 | $60,996 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $703.80 | $3,050 | $36,598 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $469.20 | $2,033 | $24,399 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Radford) | $29.33 |
| 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 Radford, VA earn a median of $60,998 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.13% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 2.20% above the Virginia state average of $59,685.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.33/hr = $36,598/year (purchasing power: $35,463).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,996/year (purchasing power: $59,105).
CoL index: 103.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$22.29/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.20/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.33/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Radford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.29/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.18/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.66/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.94/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.68/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.68/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.20/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.33/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.50/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Radford grew 26.5% from $22.29/hr (2019) to $28.20/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.50/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 Radford 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 Radford
Part-time welders in Radford can take home considerable earnings even with a 24-hour workweek, seeing an annual income that is significantly influenced by the type of projects they engage in. For instance, traveling pipe welders often earn between $40-$70 per hour, supplemented by daily per-diem rates that can range from $80 to $175, depending on the job's location and urgency. During refinery turnarounds, welders might see their pay jump to $50-$80 per hour, frequently with opportunities for double-time on weekends. It's worth noting that while some welders may opt for lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits like health insurance, others prefer the higher rates that come without such perks. This trade-off highlights the importance of weighing offers carefully, especially for hourly roles. Practical negotiation skills can be crucial in this market; knowing industry standards and being prepared to discuss specific certifications like 6G or NQA-1 qualifications can significantly strengthen one’s position in wage discussions.
More salary data for Radford, 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 Radford. 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 Radford 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