Welder Salary in Brookhaven, GA: $49,881 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Brookhaven, GA earns a median $49,881/year (≈ $23.98/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Brookhaven's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.1), that paycheck buys what $53,578 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Georgia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the welder salary in Brookhaven is projected to sit at $49,881 annually, reflecting a market that is competitive yet modest compared to the national figure of $55,895. The hourly wage aligns closely, with a median rate of $23.98. Local salaries range significantly from $35,352 at the 10th percentile to $74,124 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse workload and skill level among welders. These estimates are drawn from BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional price parities. While local fabrication shops provide a stable income for some, traveling pipe welders participating in oil and gas markets might find higher earnings due to per-diem compensation structures and tax advantages, making Brookhaven an interesting locale for welders assessing job opportunities.
About the Brookhaven Market
Salary estimated from Georgia average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,352 | $16.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,290 | $20.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,881 | $23.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57,122 | $27.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74,124 | $35.64 |
Median Salary Position
10.76% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brookhaven
In Brookhaven, GA, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,772 (2026 est.). At $49,881, the local median is 10.76% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brookhaven: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brookhaven Welder Pay Compares
Brookhaven median: $49,881/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brookhaven Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $55,895 | -10.76% less |
Welders in Brookhaven, GA earn a median of $49,881 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.76% lower than the national median of $55,895.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brookhaven has a cost of living 6.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brookhaven, GA has a cost-of-living index of 93.1 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $49,881 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $53,578 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.41% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,918
2025 BLS Actual
$47,967
2026 Current Est.
$49,881
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Brookhaven (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,918 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,436 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,952 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,425 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,675 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,685 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,967 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,881 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,871 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brookhaven metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $37,918 (2019) to $47,967 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,871 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,953 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brookhaven 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) | $35,352 – $42,290 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,290 – $49,881 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,881 – $57,122 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $57,122 – $74,124 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Brookhaven
With only eight welders currently employed in Brookhaven, the local job market presents both challenges and prospects. The area's cost of living index stands at 93.1, below the national average, which plays a critical role in determining the effective purchasing power of wages. Employers engaged in construction, especially those requiring specialty certifications like the 6G pipe welders, can offer competitive pay. Welding in aerospace and defense sectors, as well as mobile welding work, can yield better pay as well. Variability in income often stems from skill levels, certification (such as AWS or ASME certifications), and the nature of the work — with traveling welders often pulling ahead financially due to the lucrative nature of their assignments versus steady local employment. For welders in Brookhaven, focusing on acquiring advanced certifications and considering opportunities in high-demand sectors are key strategies for maximizing income potential.
More salary data for Brookhaven, GA:
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 $47,967 for weldersin the Brookhaven 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 Brookhaven 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