Welder Salary in Bryant, AR: $46,616 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Bryant, AR earns a median $46,616/year (≈ $22.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Bryant's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $53,643 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.5% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Bryant, Arkansas, offers a welder salary of $46,616 annually based on 2025 BLS data, projected for 2026. This figure places local welders at about 16.60% below the national median of $55,895. Salary ranges for welders in the area stretch from $34,766 at the 10th percentile to $61,911 at the 90th percentile. The local labor market, although modest with only four welders employed, reflects a pay gradient where pipe welders tend to earn more due to certification requirements, particularly for those holding specialized credentials like the 6G pipe certification. In contrast, structural and production welders typically see lower salaries. This differential sets the stage for the competitive dynamics of the local job market.
About the Bryant Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,766 | $16.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,486 | $19.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,616 | $22.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52,485 | $25.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61,911 | $29.76 |
Median Salary Position
16.6% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bryant
In Bryant, AR, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,145 (2026 est.). At $46,616, the local median is 16.6% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bryant: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bryant Welder Pay Compares
Bryant median: $46,616/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bryant Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $49,329 | -5.50% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -16.60% less |
Welders in Bryant, AR earn a median of $46,616 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.60% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 5.50% below the Arkansas state average of $49,329.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bryant 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.
Bryant, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $46,616 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $53,643 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,436
2025 BLS Actual
$44,827
2026 Current Est.
$46,616
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Bryant (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,436 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,854 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,206 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,648 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,816 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,130 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,827 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,616 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,476 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bryant metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $35,436 (2019) to $44,827 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,476 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,040 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bryant 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) | $34,766 – $40,486 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,486 – $46,616 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,616 – $52,485 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $52,485 – $61,911 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Bryant
When evaluating the job market in Bryant, the cost of living index is notably lower at 86.9, equating to an advantageous purchasing power for welders despite the median salary being lower than the national average. Employers in the area that offer higher wages include structural steel fabrication shops and those involved in oil and gas pipeline welding. The compensation range is influenced by factors such as certification levels, specialty areas—like nuclear welding which demands specific clearances—and the geographic demand for traveling welders that can increase pay through per-diem arrangements. For those looking to maximize their welder pay in Bryant, it’s essential to consider pursuing advanced certifications and seeking opportunities in booming industries or traveling positions that offer the potential for higher hourly rates, thus enhancing overall earning potential.
More salary data for Bryant, 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 $44,827 for weldersin the Bryant 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 Bryant 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