Welder Hourly Pay in Woodbridge, VA: $27.60 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Woodbridge, VA runs $27.60 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,404 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Woodbridge's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $26.74 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,443 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, welders in Woodbridge, Virginia, will earn a median hourly rate of $27.60, slightly above the national average of $26.87. This higher income can benefit those working part-time, such as those putting in three days a week, enabling them to achieve a respectable annual income even with a reduced schedule. Welders in the region often find employment in various settings such as fabrication shops, pipeline welding stations, and shipyards, where versatile skills are critical. The hourly rates for welders in Woodbridge range significantly, starting from $21.61 for entry-level positions to as much as $39.83 for the most experienced professionals. It's important to remember that these hourly figures are derived from annual salary data, reflecting the economic landscape for welding jobs in VA.
About the Woodbridge 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) | $21.61 | $172.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.80 | $198.41 |
| Median (P50) | $27.60 | $220.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.09 | $248.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.83 | $318.63 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Woodbridge
Based on $27.60/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.60/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Woodbridge, VA can expect to earn approximately $57,406 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,119. With a cost-of-living index of 103.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Woodbridge.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Woodbridge
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,103.96 | $4,784 | $57,406 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $662.37 | $2,870 | $34,443 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $441.58 | $1,914 | $22,962 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Woodbridge) | $27.60 |
| 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 Woodbridge, VA earn a median of $57,404 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.70% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 3.90% below the Virginia state average of $59,733.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.60/hr = $34,443/year (purchasing power: $33,375).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,406/year (purchasing power: $55,626).
CoL index: 103.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$20.98/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.54/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.60/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Woodbridge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.98/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.82/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.21/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.47/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.16/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.80/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.54/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.60/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.70/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Woodbridge grew 26.5% from $20.98/hr (2019) to $26.54/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.70/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 Woodbridge 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 Woodbridge
Part-time welders can expect different financial outcomes compared to their full-time counterparts. For instance, those working a 3-day week would typically earn significantly less annually than a full-time welder but still maintain a reasonable standard of living, especially when factoring in overtime options as they might take on additional shifts. Per-diem welders are also prevalent in Woodbridge; traveling pipe welders can earn between $40-$70 per hour in addition to daily per-diem rates of $80-$175. Returning to their roles during shutdowns, refinery turnaround welders might see pay rates increase to $50-$80 per hour, with potential double-time on weekends. Various sectors, including shipyards, oil and gas pipeline work, and aerospace manufacturing, lead to significant variations in hourly wages based on demand and the necessity for specialized certifications, such as the 6G pipe certification. Some welders opt for jobs with lower pay but better benefits, and geographical negotiation strategies can play a vital role in securing favorable compensation for welders navigating the Woodbridge area.
More salary data for Woodbridge, 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 Woodbridge. 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 Woodbridge 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