Welder Salary in Homewood, AL: $48,095 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Homewood, AL earns a median $48,095/year (≈ $23.13/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Homewood's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $54,716 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Alabama state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Homewood, Alabama, the projected earnings for welders in 2026 demonstrate a competitive landscape influenced by various job market factors. With a median annual salary of $48,095, welders in the area might find local opportunities lagging behind the national median of $55,895, reflecting a disparity of roughly 13.95%. The salary range for welding professionals in Homewood extends from $37,997 at the 10th percentile to $68,043 at the 90th percentile, highlighting significant variance based on experience and specialization. Local pay is shaped not just by hourly rates, which average $23.13, but also by the economics of traveling positions that often include per-diem incentives. Those welders willing to travel for pipeline projects or refinery maintenance may find the financial rewards notably more lucrative compared to their counterparts in local shops.
About the Homewood Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,997 | $18.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,511 | $20.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,095 | $23.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56,304 | $27.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68,043 | $32.72 |
Median Salary Position
13.95% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Homewood
In Homewood, AL, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,046 (2026 est.). At $48,095, the local median is 13.95% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Homewood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Homewood Welder Pay Compares
Homewood median: $48,095/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Homewood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $49,788 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -13.95% less |
Welders in Homewood, AL earn a median of $48,095 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.95% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 3.40% below the Alabama state average of $49,788.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Homewood has a cost of living 12.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Homewood, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $48,095 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $54,716 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.77% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,561
2025 BLS Actual
$46,250
2026 Current Est.
$48,095
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Homewood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,561 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,024 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,450 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,907 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,111 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,066 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,250 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,095 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,014 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Homewood metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $36,561 (2019) to $46,250 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,014 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,453 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Homewood 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) | $37,997 – $43,511 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,511 – $48,095 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,095 – $56,304 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $56,304 – $68,043 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Homewood
As of now, only five welders are employed in Homewood, illustrating a limited but focused job market. With a cost-of-living index of 87.9, welders in this area can expect their take-home pay to stretch further compared to regions with higher living costs, although their purchasing power should still be carefully assessed against local wage standards. Among various employers, structural steel fabrication shops and oil and gas pipeline welding offer the highest salaries, particularly for welders who hold certifications in specialized processes like 6G or those involved in complex industries such as aerospace and nuclear maintenance. The pay gap between entry-level and highly skilled welders can be attributed to factors such as certification level, specialization, and the economic cycles of traveling work versus local engagements. To maximize potential salary, welders should consider obtaining advanced certifications, pursuing traveling positions where possible, and networking within sectors experiencing growth.
More salary data for Homewood, 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 $46,250 for weldersin the Homewood 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
Salary data for Homewood 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