Welder Salary in Louisiana: $69,293 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Louisiana's 20 metropolitan areas, the average median welder pay sits at $69,293/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 51-4121. Because Louisiana sits at BEA RPP 90.3 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $76,736 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Baton Rouge ($78,170), Lake Charles ($72,920), Alexandria ($64,490).
Welder salaries in Louisiana are considerably higher than the national average, with the 2026 employment-weighted average median salary projected at $69,293, representing a 24.0% increase over the national median of $55,895. Baton Rouge leads with the highest salary at $81,289, while Monroe has the lowest at $53,940, highlighting a significant gap driven by factors such as the concentration of industries, demand for skilled labor, and cost of living variances across cities. Louisiana's economy supports welding through sectors like petrochemicals and shipbuilding, which sustain high demand for welders. In terms of licensing, Louisiana requires welders to comply with state regulations, which can affect job opportunities based on skill level and certification. The state supports a strong job market, with a projected annual growth rate of 3.99% for welders. Other cities in the top five for welder salaries include Lake Charles at $75,830, Alexandria at $67,063, Shreveport at $66,148, and Metairie at $66,034. This outlook presents favorable opportunities for those considering a welding career in Louisiana, especially for individuals willing to enhance their qualifications through additional training and certification.
Louisiana Welder Salary Range
Overall salary range in Louisiana: $32,195 (lowest entry-level) to $99,271 (highest top earner)
Louisiana vs National Average
Louisiana welders earn 23.97% more than the national median (+$13,398/year difference).
Louisiana Welder Salary Distribution (2026)
Welder salaries in Louisiana range from $46,341 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $86,581 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $69,293. The Louisiana median is $13,398 above the US national median of $55,895. The average hourly rate is $33.31/hr. Approximately 11,909 welders are employed across 20 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$52,520
2025 BLS Actual
$66,634
2026 Current Est.
$69,293
2019–2027 Growth
+37.2%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Louisiana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,520 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,403 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,511 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,992 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,093 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,887 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,634 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,293 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,058 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Louisiana metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.9% from $52,520 (2019) to $66,634 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,058 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,538 (37.20%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Louisiana 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Louisiana
Lowest Paying Cities in Louisiana
Best Value Cities for Welders in Louisiana
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Louisiana cities offer the most purchasing power for welders.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge | $81,289 | 90.78 | $89,545 |
| Lake Charles | $75,830 | 85.852 | $88,326 |
| Alexandria | $67,063 | 85.686 | $78,266 |
| Shreveport | $66,148 | 84.766 | $78,036 |
| Metairie | $66,034 | 90.3 | $73,127 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Louisiana
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $46,341 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $69,293 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $86,581 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Louisiana metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 20 Cities in Louisiana
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baton Rouge | $81,289 |
| 2 | Lake Charles | $75,830 |
| 3 | Alexandria | $67,063 |
| 4 | Shreveport | $66,148 |
| 5 | Metairie | $66,034 |
| 6 | New Orleans | $65,794 |
| 7 | Bossier City | $65,098 |
| 8 | Slidell | $63,236 |
| 9 | Kenner | $63,208 |
| 10 | Ruston | $62,039 |
| 11 | Central | $61,977 |
| 12 | New Iberia | $61,116 |
| 13 | Hammond | $60,824 |
| 14 | Natchitoches | $60,288 |
| 15 | Lafayette | $60,054 |
| 16 | Zachary | $60,001 |
| 17 | Sulphur | $59,657 |
| 18 | Houma | $59,264 |
| 19 | Thibodaux | $58,019 |
| 20 | Monroe | $53,940 |
More Louisiana Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced welders.
Compare Cities in Louisiana
View all comparisons →Explore More Welder Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do welders make in Louisiana in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for welders in Louisiana?
How does Louisiana welder pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level welder salary in Louisiana?
How many welders are employed in Louisiana?
Which Louisiana city offers the best value for welders?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 welder compensation across Louisiana. State averages are employment-weighted across 20 metro areas — larger metro areas with more welderscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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