Welder Salary in Decatur, AL: $59,264 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Decatur, AL earns a median $59,264/year (≈ $28.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Decatur's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 87.2), that paycheck buys what $67,954 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 19.1% above the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Decatur, Alabama, the welder salary is competitive, reflecting a median annual income of $59,264 for the year 2026, which is notably above the national average by 6.03%. Welders in this region can expect to earn between $37,520 and $87,154, offering a wide range that accommodates varying levels of experience and specialization. The data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys projected to 2026, highlights significant economic opportunities for local welders compared to traveling pipe welders, who often benefit from enhanced financial structures that include per-diem payments and tax advantages. Nevertheless, the Decatur job market presents a viable option for those seeking stable employment in welding with a strong local demand for skilled trades.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,520 | $18.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,960 | $23.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,264 | $28.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,822 | $32.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87,154 | $41.90 |
Median Salary Position
6.03% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Decatur
In Decatur, AL, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,634 (2026 est.). At $59,264, the local median is 6.03% above the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Decatur: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Decatur Welder Pay Compares
Decatur median: $59,264/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Decatur Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $49,760 | +19.10% more |
| National Average | $55,895 | +6.03% more |
Welders in Decatur, AL earn a median of $59,264 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.03% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 19.10% above the Alabama state average of $49,760.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Decatur has a cost of living 12.79% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Decatur, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.212 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $59,264 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,954 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.66% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$44,640
2025 BLS Actual
$56,990
2026 Current Est.
$59,264
2019–2027 Growth
+38.1%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Decatur (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,640 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,860 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,420 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,580 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,680 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,510 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,990 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,264 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,629 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Decatur metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 27.7% from $44,640 (2019) to $56,990 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,629 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,989 (38.06%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Decatur 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) | $37,520 – $47,960 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,960 – $59,264 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,264 – $67,822 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,822 – $87,154 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Decatur
The local job market in Decatur employs approximately 530 welders, who may find their purchasing power affected by the cost-of-living index of 87.212, which sits below the national average. This context underscores the importance of employer selection in maximizing income. High-paying opportunities often arise in sectors such as structural steel fabrication, oil and gas pipeline welding, and nuclear power plant maintenance. The pay scale can vary significantly based on welding techniques and certifications, where specialized credentials such as the 6G pipe qualification and NQA-1 certifications lead to higher earnings. Furthermore, traveling positions frequently offer substantial per-diem compensation, which can elevate base pay. To optimize their earnings, welders in Decatur should consider gaining advanced certifications, seeking unionized positions, or exploring traveling work options that capitalize on current industry demands.
More salary data for Decatur, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do welders make in Decatur, AL in 2026?
Is Decatur, AL a good place to work as a welder?
Can welders make $100K in Decatur?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted welder salary in Decatur?
How much does a welder make per hour in Decatur?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Alabama
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 $56,990 for weldersin the Decatur 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