Welder Salary in Durham, NC: $51,246 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Durham, NC earns a median $51,246/year (≈ $24.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Durham's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.6), that paycheck buys what $52,521 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Durham, North Carolina, the welder salary in Durham is projected to reach a median annual income of $51,246 by 2026, placing it about 8.32% lower than the national average of $55,895. Welders in the area typically earn between $43,333 and $71,774, highlighting a significant disparity influenced by certification levels, specialization, and the types of projects they engage in. The local market tends to favor pipe welders due to demand in various sectors, offering better compensation than structural or production welders. This salary outlook is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, underlining the continued necessity for skilled welders amidst an evolving job landscape.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,333 | $20.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,783 | $22.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,246 | $24.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,060 | $30.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $71,774 | $34.50 |
Median Salary Position
8.32% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Durham
In Durham, NC, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,441 (2026 est.). At $51,246, the local median is 8.32% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Durham: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Durham Welder Pay Compares
Durham median: $51,246/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Durham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $52,777 | -2.90% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -8.32% less |
Welders in Durham, NC earn a median of $51,246 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.32% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 2.90% below the North Carolina state average of $52,777.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Durham has a cost of living 2.43% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Durham, NC has a cost-of-living index of 97.572 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $51,246 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,521 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.49% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,460
2025 BLS Actual
$49,280
2026 Current Est.
$51,246
2019–2027 Growth
+38.6%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Durham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,460 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,850 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,970 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,770 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,520 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,610 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,280 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,246 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,291 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Durham metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 28.1% from $38,460 (2019) to $49,280 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,291 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,831 (38.56%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Durham 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) | $43,333 – $47,783 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,783 – $51,246 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,246 – $63,060 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,060 – $71,774 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Durham
In terms of employment dynamics, 290 welders are currently employed in Durham, reflecting a steady demand for skilled work. The cost of living in the area is relatively low, with a cost-of-living index sitting at 97.572, which impacts purchasing power positively. Among local employers, those engaged in oil and gas pipeline work, structural steel fabrication, and aerospace often offer the highest salaries, as these fields require specialized skills and certifications, such as the 6G pipe certification or nuclear welding qualifications (NQA-1). The variance in pay can also be attributed to job location; welders traveling for work often earn a base rate supplemented by per-diem allowances, particularly in high-demand sectors like pipeline construction. To maximize welder pay in Durham NC, obtaining advanced certifications and seeking out positions with specialized skill requirements or per-diem opportunities can significantly enhance earnings potential.
More salary data for Durham, NC:
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 $49,280 for weldersin the Durham 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