Welder Salary in Dothan, AL: $47,014 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Dothan, AL earns a median $47,014/year (≈ $22.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Dothan's price level (16% below national, BEA RPP 83.8), that paycheck buys what $56,081 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.6% below the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, welders in Dothan, Alabama, are projected to earn a median salary of $47,014, which is notably lower than the national median of $55,895. The salary landscape for welders in this region ranges from $37,291 at the 10th percentile to $62,103 at the 90th percentile, highlighting diverse earning potentials depending on skill level and job type. This data is derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, and while local shop pay is generally stable, welders engaging in traveling pipe work benefit significantly from per-diem structures that may elevate their earnings considerably compared to stationary positions. Those willing to travel for work often find more lucrative opportunities, reflective of Dothan's job market, where local factors influence wage dynamics for welders.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,291 | $17.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,047 | $19.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,014 | $22.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51,267 | $24.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62,103 | $29.86 |
Median Salary Position
15.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dothan
In Dothan, AL, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,812 (2026 est.). At $47,014, the local median is 15.89% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dothan: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dothan Welder Pay Compares
Dothan median: $47,014/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dothan Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $49,803 | -5.60% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -15.89% less |
Welders in Dothan, AL earn a median of $47,014 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.89% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 5.60% below the Alabama state average of $49,803.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dothan has a cost of living 16.17% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dothan, AL has a cost-of-living index of 83.833 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $47,014 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $56,081 in an average-cost city — an effective 19.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$30,710
2025 BLS Actual
$45,210
2026 Current Est.
$47,014
2019–2027 Growth
+59.2%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Dothan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,710 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,700 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,560 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,420 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,320 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,100 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,210 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,014 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,890 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dothan metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 47.2% from $30,710 (2019) to $45,210 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,890 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,180 (59.20%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dothan 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) | $37,291 – $40,047 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,047 – $47,014 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,014 – $51,267 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $51,267 – $62,103 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Dothan
In Dothan, the welding job market employs approximately 310 welders, suggesting a stable demand for welding professionals. The cost of living is relatively low, with a CoL index of 83.833, which positively impacts the purchasing power of welders' salaries. Local employers in sectors such as structural steel fabrication, oil and gas pipeline welding, and manufacturing plants offer varied compensation, often favoring those with advanced certifications such as the 6G pipe and specialty skills in nuclear or aerospace welding. Economic conditions, particularly fluctuations in the oil and gas sector, further influence pay disparities. Welders eager to maximize their earnings in Dothan should consider obtaining higher certifications, exploring traveling opportunities, and aligning their skills with market demands, as these strategies can significantly enhance their earning potential.
More salary data for Dothan, 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 $45,210 for weldersin the Dothan 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