Welder Salary in Starkville, MS: $46,582 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Starkville, MS earns a median $46,582/year (≈ $22.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Starkville's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $54,355 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Welders in Starkville, Mississippi, anticipate a median annual salary of $46,582 in 2026, reflecting the economic realities of rig ownership and significant equipment investments. The projected salary spectrum ranges from $33,458 at the lower end to $63,625 for the highest earners in the field. These estimates utilize 2025 BLS state-level data, adjusted for local cost factors. Given the national median of $55,895, the local compensation illustrates a notable disparity, emphasizing the importance of understanding specific local employment dynamics when considering long-term career choices in welding.
About the Starkville Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,458 | $16.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,510 | $20.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,582 | $22.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53,146 | $25.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63,625 | $30.59 |
Median Salary Position
16.66% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Starkville
In Starkville, MS, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,167 (2026 est.). At $46,582, the local median is 16.66% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Starkville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Starkville Welder Pay Compares
Starkville median: $46,582/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Starkville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $47,924 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -16.66% less |
Welders in Starkville, MS earn a median of $46,582 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.66% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 2.80% below the Mississippi state average of $47,924.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Starkville has a cost of living 14.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Starkville, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $46,582 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $54,355 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,411
2025 BLS Actual
$44,795
2026 Current Est.
$46,582
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Starkville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,411 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,828 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,178 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,620 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,786 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,669 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,795 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,582 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,441 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Starkville metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $35,411 (2019) to $44,795 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,441 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,030 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Starkville 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) | $33,458 – $42,510 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,510 – $46,582 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,582 – $53,146 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $53,146 – $63,625 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Starkville
The employment landscape in Starkville bites with only five welders currently working in the area, underscoring a limited yet potentially lucrative market. The local cost of living index stands at 85.7, allowing welders to enjoy relatively higher purchasing power compared to more expensive regions. Those seeking to maximize their welder pay in Starkville should consider niche industries such as oil and gas pipeline welding or specialized sectors like aerospace and defense. Higher wage opportunities often correlate with the type of certification held—6G and ASME IX certifications are notably advantageous. Additionally, traveling welders may see increases in earnings due to per-diem arrangements, which could add substantial income during boom periods like pipeline expansions. Navigating these factors is vital for welders looking to enhance their compensation in Starkville, MS.
More salary data for Starkville, MS:
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 $44,795 for weldersin the Starkville 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 Starkville 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