Welder Hourly Pay in Sterling, VA: $27.55 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Sterling, VA runs $27.55 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,292 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Sterling's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $26.69 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,379 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Welders in Sterling, Virginia can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $27.55, which is slightly above the national median of $26.87. This higher hourly pay reflects the demand for skilled welders in various settings, such as fabrication shops and pipeline welding sites. For part-time workers, operating three days a week can yield a reasonable income, while those in per-diem positions may benefit significantly from added daily allowances. The hourly pay scale spans a range from $21.36 for entry-level welders up to $38.67 for the most experienced professionals. These estimates are derived from annual salary data, showcasing the competitive nature of wages for welders in the area.
About the Sterling 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) | $21.36 | $170.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.07 | $192.59 |
| Median (P50) | $27.55 | $220.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.01 | $256.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.67 | $309.39 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sterling
Based on $27.55/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.55/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sterling, VA can expect to earn approximately $57,298 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,056. With a cost-of-living index of 103.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Sterling.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sterling
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,101.88 | $4,775 | $57,298 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $661.13 | $2,865 | $34,379 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $440.75 | $1,910 | $22,919 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Sterling) | $27.55 |
| 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 Sterling, VA earn a median of $57,292 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.50% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 4.10% below the Virginia state average of $59,742.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.55/hr = $34,379/year (purchasing power: $33,313).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,298/year (purchasing power: $55,521).
CoL index: 103.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$20.94/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.49/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.55/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Sterling (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.94/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.78/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.17/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.43/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.12/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.75/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.49/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.55/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.65/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Sterling grew 26.5% from $20.94/hr (2019) to $26.49/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.65/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 Sterling 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 Sterling
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Earnings potential for part-time welders working 24 hours a week can translate to an annual income considerably lower than their full-time counterparts. While a full-time welder operates closer to a $57,292 annual income, a part-time worker would see much less, primarily due to fewer hours. Traveling pipe welders, especially those carrying multiple certifications like 6G, earn substantial per diem welder pay in Sterling, often ranging from $40 to $70 per hour, in addition to daily allowances of $80 to $175. Refineries frequently offer lucrative options during shutdowns, with hourly rates from $50 to $80 and potential double-time compensation on weekends. Different employers lead to variable hourly pay rates; for instance, structural steel fabrication shops may offer different compensation compared to manufacturing plants or nuclear power facilities. While some welders might accept lower hourly rates for better health insurance, those seeking higher pay without benefits need to negotiate effectively, knowing where their skills fit in this diverse market.
More salary data for Sterling, 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 Sterling. 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 Sterling 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