Welder Salary in Little Rock, AR: $49,333 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Little Rock, AR earns a median $49,333/year (≈ $23.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Little Rock's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.4), that paycheck buys what $55,205 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Arkansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected welder salary in Little Rock, Arkansas, is positioned at $49,333, reflecting a competitive local market while falling short of the national median of $55,895. Welders in the area can expect a salary range from $39,870 at the lower end to $62,654 at the top tier, allowing for significant variation based on skill set and specific employment areas. This information, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, highlights the distinction in pay between various welding specialties, particularly between pipe welders and production welders. The demand for skilled welders with certifications like 6G and experience across specialized sectors such as oil and gas continues to dominate the local job market, shaping compensation trends across the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,870 | $19.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,362 | $21.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,333 | $23.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55,479 | $26.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62,654 | $30.13 |
Median Salary Position
11.74% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Little Rock
In Little Rock, AR, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,784 (2026 est.). At $49,333, the local median is 11.74% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Little Rock: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Little Rock Welder Pay Compares
Little Rock median: $49,333/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Little Rock Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $55,895 | -11.74% less |
Welders in Little Rock, AR earn a median of $49,333 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.74% lower than the national median of $55,895.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Little Rock has a cost of living 10.64% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Little Rock, AR has a cost-of-living index of 89.364 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $49,333 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $55,205 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.9% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,260
2025 BLS Actual
$47,440
2026 Current Est.
$49,333
2019–2027 Growth
+45.5%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Little Rock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,260 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,360 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,050 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,950 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,360 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,420 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,440 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,333 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,301 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Little Rock metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 34.5% from $35,260 (2019) to $47,440 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,301 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,041 (45.49%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Little Rock 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) | $39,870 – $44,362 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,362 – $49,333 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,333 – $55,479 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $55,479 – $62,654 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Little Rock
Little Rock is home to approximately 1,190 welders, contributing to a robust labor market in the field. The cost of living index at 89.364 indicates that wages can stretch further for workers in this city, enhancing their overall purchasing power. Among local employers, roles in structural steel fabrication shops and those involving cross-country pipeline welding or petrochemical refinery projects are known to offer higher salaries. The range of compensation can be influenced by certification levels, specialization, and traveling opportunities, with traveling welders often benefitting from added per-diem allowances. Welding professionals seeking to maximize their earnings should consider advancing to certifications in high-demand areas, pursuing roles that require advanced skills, or engaging in traveling positions that can significantly boost their base pay in Little Rock, AR.
More salary data for Little Rock, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $47,440 for weldersin the Little Rock 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