Welder Salary in Madison, AL: $48,535 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Madison, AL earns a median $48,535/year (≈ $23.34/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Madison's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $55,216 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the Alabama state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, welders in Madison, Alabama can expect a median annual salary of $48,535, which is approximately 13.17% lower than the national median of $55,895 for the same year. The salary range for this occupation is quite variable, with entry-level positions starting around $36,375 and top earners reaching $69,833. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parities. For welders considering a pathway that involves rig ownership, the investment in equipment is significant, commonly ranging from $80,000 to $150,000 for a welding truck. This investment can lead to higher hourly rates and increased income, especially in high-demand sectors like oil and gas pipeline work where premiums are available.
About the Madison Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,375 | $17.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,593 | $20.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,535 | $23.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57,006 | $27.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69,833 | $33.58 |
Median Salary Position
13.17% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Madison
In Madison, AL, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,458 (2026 est.). At $48,535, the local median is 13.17% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Madison: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Madison Welder Pay Compares
Madison median: $48,535/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Madison Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $49,780 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -13.17% less |
Welders in Madison, AL earn a median of $48,535 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.17% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 2.50% below the Alabama state average of $49,780.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Madison 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.
Madison, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $48,535 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $55,216 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.77% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,896
2025 BLS Actual
$46,673
2026 Current Est.
$48,535
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Madison (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,896 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,372 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,820 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,281 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,496 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,423 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,673 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,535 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,472 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Madison metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $36,896 (2019) to $46,673 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,472 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,576 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Madison 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) | $36,375 – $42,593 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,593 – $48,535 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,535 – $57,006 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $57,006 – $69,833 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Madison
With only nine welders currently employed in the area, the job market in Madison presents a unique situation. The cost of living index stands at 87.9, indicating that wages stretch further here than in many other locations, which enhances take-home purchasing power. Among local employers, those involved in oil and gas pipeline projects and petrochemical refinery turnarounds tend to offer the highest pay scales. The range in salaries is influenced by various factors, including certification levels—wherein highly specialized credentials such as 6G pipe or ASME IX attract higher wages. As the demand for skilled welders continues to grow, stemming from workforce shortages projected by AWS, professionals should focus on gaining certifications and potentially considering traveling positions that come with per-diem options. Additionally, those interested in maximizing their earnings might explore opportunities in underwater welding, which can be exceptionally lucrative in the right settings.
More salary data for Madison, 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 $46,673 for weldersin the Madison 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 Madison 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