Welder Salary in Daphne, AL: $49,770 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Daphne, AL earns a median $49,770/year (≈ $23.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Daphne's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 94.7), that paycheck buys what $52,561 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, welders in Daphne, Alabama can expect a median annual salary of $49,770, which is notably lower than the national median of $55,895. This salary represents a wide range, with earnings from $37,655 at the 10th percentile to $77,421 at the 90th percentile. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, these figures highlight the competitive nature of the local job market. Welders who engage in traveling work, particularly those qualified for niche roles such as pipeline welding, often experience significantly higher earnings due to per-diem structures and a robust demand in sectors like oil and gas. This creates a dichotomy between local shop pay and the lucrative opportunities available for skilled traveling welders.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,655 | $18.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,579 | $21.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,770 | $23.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60,377 | $29.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,421 | $37.22 |
Median Salary Position
10.96% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Daphne
In Daphne, AL, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,766 (2026 est.). At $49,770, the local median is 10.96% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Daphne: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Daphne Welder Pay Compares
Daphne median: $49,770/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Daphne Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $55,895 | -10.96% less |
Welders in Daphne, AL earn a median of $49,770 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.96% lower than the national median of $55,895.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Daphne has a cost of living 5.31% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Daphne, AL has a cost-of-living index of 94.69 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $49,770 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,561 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,630
2025 BLS Actual
$47,860
2026 Current Est.
$49,770
2019–2027 Growth
+16.0%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Daphne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,630 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,210 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,050 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,530 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,220 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,390 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,860 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,770 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,755 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Daphne metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 7.2% from $44,630 (2019) to $47,860 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,755 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,125 (15.96%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Daphne 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $37,655 – $45,579 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,579 – $49,770 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,770 – $60,377 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $60,377 – $77,421 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Daphne
The employment landscape in Daphne features approximately 210 welders, indicating a stable market for these skilled professionals. With a cost-of-living index of 94.69, living expenses are somewhat lower than the national average, which allows for greater purchasing power despite lower wages. Local employers, such as structural steel fabrication shops and pipeline companies, often set salary expectations that reflect the necessary certifications and specialization levels. Those with advanced qualifications, including 6G or ASME Section IX, tend to command higher pay, while specialties in underwater welding or nuclear maintenance can mean even greater financial rewards. To maximize earnings in Daphne, welders should consider obtaining additional certifications and vying for traveling positions, which can add significant value to their overall compensation due to the per-diem benefits and the variable demand across industries.
More salary data for Daphne, AL:
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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $47,860 for weldersin the Daphne metropolitan area. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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