Welder Salary in Jacksonville, NC: $53,025 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Jacksonville, NC earns a median $53,025/year (≈ $25.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Jacksonville's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $56,651 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Welding professionals in Jacksonville, North Carolina, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $53,025 in 2026, slightly below the national average of $55,895 for welders. The local pay scale reflects a range from $38,062 at the lower end (P10) to $74,197 at the higher end (P90), indicating variability based on skills, certifications, and types of welding work. Notably, pipe welders often command higher wages compared to those in structural welding, due in part to specialized certifications such as 6G pipe and processes recognized by standards like ASME Section IX. This distinction is critical in Jacksonville's local job market, where the demand for skilled welders directly influences compensation levels.
About the Jacksonville Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,062 | $18.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,275 | $21.77 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,025 | $25.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,021 | $29.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74,197 | $35.67 |
Median Salary Position
5.13% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jacksonville
In Jacksonville, NC, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,135 (2026 est.). At $53,025, the local median is 5.13% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Jacksonville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Jacksonville Welder Pay Compares
Jacksonville median: $53,025/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Jacksonville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $52,761 | +0.50% more |
| National Average | $55,895 | -5.13% less |
Welders in Jacksonville, NC earn a median of $53,025 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.13% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 0.50% above the North Carolina state average of $52,761.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Jacksonville 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.
Jacksonville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $53,025 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $56,651 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,740
2025 BLS Actual
$50,990
2026 Current Est.
$53,025
2019–2027 Growth
+23.2%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Jacksonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,740 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,270 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,520 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,840 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,120 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,149 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,990 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,025 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,140 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Jacksonville metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 14.0% from $44,740 (2019) to $50,990 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,140 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,400 (23.25%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jacksonville 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) | $38,062 – $45,275 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,275 – $53,025 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,025 – $61,021 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,021 – $74,197 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Jacksonville
In terms of market dynamics, there are currently 17 welding professionals employed in Jacksonville, which suggests a focused yet competitive labor pool. The city's cost-of-living index of 93.6 indicates that while welder salaries may be lower than the national average, purchasing power remains relatively stable. Employers from various sectors—ranging from structural steel fabrication to aerospace and defense—offer varying pay scales, with those involved in pipeline welding or shipbuilding typically providing higher compensation. Factors like certification level, specialization in high-demand areas such as nuclear or underwater welding, and the choice between local or traveling positions greatly affect earnings. Aspiring welders should consider investing in advanced certifications and exploring opportunities in sectors that experience cycles of boom and bust, such as oil and gas, to maximize their income potential within the Jacksonville market.
More salary data for Jacksonville, 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 $50,990 for weldersin the Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville 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