Welder Salary in Alabama: $53,111 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Alabama's 24 metropolitan areas, the average median welder pay sits at $53,111/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 51-4121. Because Alabama sits at BEA RPP 87.9 (12% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $60,422 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Mobile ($61,420), Anniston ($59,820), Decatur ($56,990).
In Alabama, the average median salary for welders in 2026 is projected at $53,111, which is about 5.0% lower than the national median of $55,895. The range of salaries across the state varies significantly, with Mobile offering the highest pay at $63,871 and Gadsden providing the lowest at $43,925. This disparity can be attributed to several factors including the cost of living, the concentration of industry in different regions, and the presence of specialized manufacturing facilities in cities like Mobile and Anniston. State-specific elements such as licensing requirements and local demand for skilled labor also influence wages. Alabama does have regulations governing welding practices, which may impact employment opportunities depending on the welder's certifications and experience. With a reported total of 8,678 welders employed across the state and an annual growth rate of 3.99%, the job market for welders in Alabama is expanding. Cities such as Anniston ($62,207), Decatur ($59,264), Tuscaloosa ($54,262), and Birmingham ($51,922) also present strong prospects, reflecting the state's diverse industrial landscape and infrastructure investments. As the demand for skilled welders continues to grow, Alabama presents various opportunities for advancement in this field.
Alabama Welder Salary Range
Overall salary range in Alabama: $34,760 (lowest entry-level) to $87,154 (highest top earner)
Alabama vs National Average
Alabama welders earn 4.98% less than the national median ($-2,784/year difference).
Alabama Welder Salary Distribution (2026)
Welder salaries in Alabama range from $40,241 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $72,053 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $53,111. The Alabama median is $2,784 below the US national median of $55,895. The average hourly rate is $25.53/hr. Approximately 8,678 welders are employed across 24 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$41,537
2025 BLS Actual
$51,073
2026 Current Est.
$53,111
2019–2027 Growth
+33.0%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Alabama (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,537 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,949 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,475 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,870 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,491 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,214 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,073 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,111 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,230 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Alabama metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 23.0% from $41,537 (2019) to $51,073 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,230 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,693 (32.97%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Alabama 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Alabama
Lowest Paying Cities in Alabama
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Gadsden | $43,925 |
| Opelika | $44,027 |
| Auburn | $44,217 |
| Huntsville | $45,776 |
| Florence | $45,974 |
Best Value Cities for Welders in Alabama
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Alabama cities offer the most purchasing power for welders.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile | $63,871 | 88.098 | $72,500 |
| Anniston | $62,207 | 85.949 | $72,377 |
| Decatur | $59,264 | 87.212 | $67,954 |
| Tuscaloosa | $54,262 | 87.722 | $61,857 |
| Hoover | $50,261 | 87.9 | $57,180 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Alabama
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $40,241 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $53,111 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $72,053 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Alabama metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 24 Cities in Alabama
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mobile | $63,871 |
| 2 | Anniston | $62,207 |
| 3 | Decatur | $59,264 |
| 4 | Tuscaloosa | $54,262 |
| 5 | Birmingham | $51,922 |
| 6 | Hoover | $50,261 |
| 7 | Montgomery | $49,790 |
| 8 | Daphne | $49,770 |
| 9 | Phenix City | $48,983 |
| 10 | Prattville | $48,717 |
| 11 | Northport | $48,609 |
| 12 | Madison | $48,535 |
| 13 | Alabaster | $48,235 |
| 14 | Enterprise | $48,157 |
| 15 | Homewood | $48,095 |
| 16 | Vestavia Hills | $47,791 |
| 17 | Albertville | $47,683 |
| 18 | Dothan | $47,014 |
| 19 | Pelham | $46,035 |
| 20 | Florence | $45,974 |
| 21 | Huntsville | $45,776 |
| 22 | Auburn | $44,217 |
| 23 | Opelika | $44,027 |
| 24 | Gadsden | $43,925 |
More Alabama Salary Data
Compare Cities in Alabama
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do welders make in Alabama in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for welders in Alabama?
How does Alabama welder pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level welder salary in Alabama?
How many welders are employed in Alabama?
Which Alabama city offers the best value for welders?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 welder compensation across Alabama. State averages are employment-weighted across 24 metro areas — larger metro areas with more welderscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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