Welder Hourly Pay in Fairmont, WV: $22.77 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Fairmont, WV runs $22.77 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,378 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Fairmont's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.5, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.33 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,422 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fairmont, West Virginia, the welder hourly pay is projected to be $22.77 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $26.87. This discrepancy may reflect the local market dynamics, including the cost of living index, which stands at 86.5, indicating a lower than average cost of living compared to the national average. For welders working part-time, say three days a week, this translates to a more manageable income while still allowing for flexibility. Those engaged in per-diem roles, frequently found in fabrication shops, pipeline operations, or high-demand locations like nuclear power plants, can also earn significant additional compensation. The hourly pay range for welders in the area varies from $18.35 for entry-level positions to $31.03 for seasoned professionals, providing a pathway for skill development and career advancement.
About the Fairmont Market
Salary estimated from West Virginia average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.35 | $146.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.76 | $166.05 |
| Median (P50) | $22.77 | $182.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $26.07 | $208.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $31.03 | $248.24 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fairmont
Based on $22.77/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.77/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fairmont, WV can expect to earn approximately $47,370 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,329. With a cost-of-living index of 86.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fairmont.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fairmont
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $910.95 | $3,947 | $47,370 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $546.57 | $2,368 | $28,422 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $364.38 | $1,579 | $18,948 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Fairmont) | $22.77 |
| 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 Fairmont, WV earn a median of $47,378 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.24% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 6.90% below the West Virginia state average of $50,889.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.77/hr = $28,422/year (purchasing power: $32,857).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,370/year (purchasing power: $54,762).
CoL index: 86.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.31/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.77/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Fairmont (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.31/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.00/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.15/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.37/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.94/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.80/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.77/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.68/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Fairmont grew 26.5% from $17.31/hr (2019) to $21.90/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.68/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 Fairmont 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 Fairmont
Examining the earning potential for part-time welders in Fairmont reveals that those working 24 hours a week would take home roughly $28,273 annually, a figure that doesn’t represent full-time opportunities. Welders who choose to travel, often taking on locum roles or per diem assignments, can see significant boosts to their income. For instance, pipeline welders might earn base pay of $40-$70 per hour, coupled with daily stipends ranging from $80 to $175. Refineries during turnarounds may offer $50-$80 per hour with the possibility of earning double-time on weekends. Owner-operators in rig welding can bill anywhere from $90 to $160 per hour, including equipment costs, making this segment of the industry highly lucrative. The variation in pay across different sectors, from structural steel fabrication to aerospace welding, often reflects the need for specialized skills and certifications, such as NQA-1 for nuclear applications or the coveted 6G certification for pipe welders. Therefore, while hourly rates might be lower initially, the trade-off with benefits such as health insurance and job stability can influence a welder's decision on the type of employment that best fits their needs.
More salary data for Fairmont, WV:
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 Fairmont. 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 Fairmont 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