Welder Salary in Benton, AR: $48,329 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Benton, AR earns a median $48,329/year (≈ $23.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Benton's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $55,614 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Welders in Benton, Arkansas, experience a median annual salary of $48,329, which falls significantly below the national median of $55,895. The salary range for this occupation varies, with entry-level positions starting around $35,153 and experienced welders earning up to $66,828. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, show that local compensation can be influenced by the type of welding work performed, with pipe welders generally commanding higher pay than those engaged in structural or production welding. The job market in Benton is dominated by structural steel fabrication and some pipeline work, but opportunities remain limited, with just five welders employed in the area. As a growing demand for skilled labor persists nationally, the regional outlook may become more competitive.
About the Benton Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,153 | $16.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,598 | $20.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,329 | $23.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55,528 | $26.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $66,828 | $32.13 |
Median Salary Position
13.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Benton
In Benton, AR, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,675 (2026 est.). At $48,329, the local median is 13.54% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Benton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Benton Welder Pay Compares
Benton median: $48,329/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Benton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $49,316 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -13.54% less |
Welders in Benton, AR earn a median of $48,329 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.54% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 2.00% below the Arkansas state average of $49,316.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Benton has a cost of living 13.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Benton, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $48,329 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $55,614 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,739
2025 BLS Actual
$46,475
2026 Current Est.
$48,329
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Benton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,739 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,209 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,647 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,106 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,316 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,458 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,475 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,329 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,258 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Benton metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $36,739 (2019) to $46,475 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,258 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,519 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Benton 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) | $35,153 – $41,598 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,598 – $48,329 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,329 – $55,528 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $55,528 – $66,828 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Benton
Analyzing the cost of living in Benton, which has a lower index of 86.9 compared to the national average, highlights a clearer picture of take-home purchasing power for welders in the area. Although local salaries are comparatively lower, the affordability of living expenses can help mitigate that gap. Employers in fields such as oil and gas pipeline welding and manufacturing are among the highest payers, with traveling positions often offering additional per-diem incentives. Factors such as certification levels, specialization, and travel can significantly impact earnings, with qualifications like the 6G pipe certification or positions in specialty welding (like TIG for aerospace) generally commanding superior wages. To maximize pay within this market, welders should consider obtaining advanced certifications and seeking traveling opportunities, as local employers may struggle to match the compensation offered by out-of-state positions.
More salary data for Benton, AR:
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 $46,475 for weldersin the Benton 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 Benton 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