Welder Hourly Pay in Longview, WA: $29.93 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Longview, WA runs $29.93 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,248 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Longview's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.5, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.68 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,351 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Longview, Washington, welders see a median hourly rate of $29.93, which surpasses the national average of $26.87. This rate offers attractive options for part-time workers, particularly those who may work three days a week. Such welders would earn an approximate weekly wage that allows for reasonable living expenses in the city while contributing their skills to various settings. The hourly compensation for welders in Longview ranges from $23.22 for entry-level positions to as much as $38.30 for top earners, with many opportunities across fabrication shops, pipeline projects, and specialized industries. This information reflects official BLS data, making it reliable for those considering a career in welding.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.22 | $185.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.70 | $197.58 |
| Median (P50) | $29.93 | $239.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.82 | $270.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.30 | $306.40 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Longview
Based on $29.93/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.93/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Longview, WA can expect to earn approximately $62,251 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,914. With a cost-of-living index of 97.55 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Longview.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Longview
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,197.13 | $5,188 | $62,251 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $718.28 | $3,113 | $37,351 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $478.85 | $2,075 | $24,900 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Longview) | $29.93 |
| 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 Longview, WA earn a median of $62,248 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.37% higher than the national median of $55,895.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.93/hr = $37,351/year (purchasing power: $38,291).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,251/year (purchasing power: $63,818).
CoL index: 97.545 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.17/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.78/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.93/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Longview (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.17/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.66/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.00/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.72/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.71/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.49/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.78/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.93/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.12/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Longview grew 24.2% from $23.17/hr (2019) to $28.78/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.12/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 Longview 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 Longview
For those operating part-time, a welder working 24 hours a week could realistically take home a substantial income over the course of a year, even compared to full-time positions. Traveling pipe welders often benefit from lucrative per diem rates, potentially earning $80 to $175 daily in addition to a base pay of $40 to $70 per hour. During refinery turnarounds or major shutdowns, welders might command hourly rates between $50 and $80, with double-time rates on weekends further boosting earnings. Longview’s diverse employer landscape, including structural steel fabrication and nuclear maintenance, often dictates hourly wages, presenting choosy conditions for welders negotiating pay. While some welders may choose lower hourly rates for set benefits, others might opt for higher pay without them, reflecting the priorities of their personal and professional lives in the state of WA.
More salary data for Longview, WA:
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 Longview. 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