Welder Salary in Cary, NC: $58,930 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Cary, NC earns a median $58,930/year (≈ $28.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Cary's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $62,959 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.7% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected welder salary in Cary, NC, stands at $58,930 annually, reflecting a robust 5.43% increase over the national median of $55,895. This salary encompasses a range that extends from $44,201 at the 10th percentile to $87,581 at the 90th percentile, showcasing the diverse opportunities available within the industry. These figures are local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price parities, making Cary a noteworthy market for welders. Understanding the financial landscape is essential for those considering their path in welding; becoming a rig welder, for instance, may yield higher pay but also requires substantial investment in equipment and a more complex career trajectory.
About the Cary Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,201 | $21.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,945 | $24.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,930 | $28.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,424 | $32.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87,581 | $42.11 |
Median Salary Position
5.43% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cary
In Cary, NC, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,380 (2026 est.). At $58,930, the local median is 5.43% above the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cary: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cary Welder Pay Compares
Cary median: $58,930/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cary Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $52,757 | +11.70% more |
| National Average | $55,895 | +5.43% more |
Welders in Cary, NC earn a median of $58,930 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.43% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 11.70% above the North Carolina state average of $52,757.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cary has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cary, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $58,930 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,959 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,798
2025 BLS Actual
$56,669
2026 Current Est.
$58,930
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Cary (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,798 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,590 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,563 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,122 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,598 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,161 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,669 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,930 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,281 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cary metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $44,798 (2019) to $56,669 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,281 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,483 (36.79%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cary 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) | $44,201 – $51,945 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,945 – $58,930 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,930 – $68,424 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,424 – $87,581 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Cary
Local job prospects for welders in Cary appear favorable, with only 44 welders currently employed in the region, suggesting a relatively small but potentially tight-knit community. The cost of living index for Cary hovers around 93.6, offering welders a competitive edge in purchasing power relative to their earnings. Employers like structural steel fabrication shops and those involved in oil and gas pipeline welding may offer some of the highest local pay, particularly for those with advanced certifications like the 6G pipe standard or NQA-1 welding. The variance in welder pay in Cary can largely be attributed to the type of work performed, certification levels, and whether welders are locally employed or traveling for work, where per-diem significantly bolsters income. Aspiring and current welders can maximize their earning potential by pursuing specialty certifications, considering mobile welding ventures, and staying attuned to industry demand fluctuations, particularly in growing sectors such as nuclear and aerospace.
More salary data for Cary, NC:
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 $56,669 for weldersin the Cary 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 Cary 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