Welder Hourly Pay in Roanoke, VA: $28.01 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Roanoke, VA runs $28.01 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,276 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Roanoke's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.92 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,963 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Welders in Roanoke, Virginia, can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $28.01, which exceeds the national median of $26.87 by a notable margin. This competitive pay is especially significant for part-time and per-diem workers, who often engage in roles across diverse settings such as fabrication shop production lines, oil pipeline welding stations, and shipyard operations. For welders working part-time—generally three days a week—this hourly rate translates into a substantial weekly income, ideal for those balancing multiple jobs or family commitments. The hourly wage range for welders in the area stretches from $21.55 at the lowest decile to $31.89 for the highest earners. This data represents official projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and reflects the demand for skill and certification within the industry.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.55 | $172.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.83 | $190.68 |
| Median (P50) | $28.01 | $224.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.66 | $245.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $31.89 | $255.15 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Roanoke
Based on $28.01/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.01/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Roanoke, VA can expect to earn approximately $58,271 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,618. With a cost-of-living index of 93.62 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Roanoke.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Roanoke
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,120.60 | $4,856 | $58,271 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $672.36 | $2,914 | $34,963 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $448.24 | $1,942 | $23,308 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Roanoke) | $28.01 |
| 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 Roanoke, VA earn a median of $58,276 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.26% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 2.40% below the Virginia state average of $59,709.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.01/hr = $34,963/year (purchasing power: $37,346).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,271/year (purchasing power: $62,243).
CoL index: 93.618 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.23/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.94/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.01/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Roanoke (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.23/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.05/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.01/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.36/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.66/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.12/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.94/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.01/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.13/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Roanoke grew 40.1% from $19.23/hr (2019) to $26.94/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.13/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 Roanoke 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 Roanoke
In Roanoke, the potential annual earnings for part-time welders working 24 hours a week can be substantial, but they typically fall short when compared to full-time welders. While a full-time position offers a steady and advantageous income, the gig economy has led to popular per diem arrangements for welders. Travelers in the field can command base rates of $40-$70 per hour, with additional per diem payments ranging from $80 to $175 daily. For those involved in refinery shutdowns, laboring as turnaround welders can yield pay rates between $50-$80 per hour, often doubled on weekends to incentivize availability. Rates can also vary significantly by employer type, from structural fabrication and oil pipeline welding to aerospace applications. Each employer offers distinct benefits and compensation structures, where welders may trade hourly rates for health insurance options. For welding professionals in Roanoke, understanding their worth and negotiating effectively can lead to better compensation as they navigate diverse employment opportunities in this thriving sector.
More salary data for Roanoke, 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 Roanoke. 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