Welder Salary in Leland, NC: $48,998 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Leland, NC earns a median $48,998/year (≈ $23.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Leland's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $52,348 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.1% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Welders in Leland, North Carolina, can expect a median annual salary of $48,998 in 2026, significantly below the national median of $55,895. The local welder salary range extends from $39,319 at the lower end (P10) to $66,549 for the top earners (P90). These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026 with regional price adjustments, highlight a workforce where traveling pipe welders often see enhanced earnings due to per-diem compensation and tax-advantaged structures. While local opportunities exist, the disparities in pay structures between traveling jobs and local shop positions can heavily influence overall compensation.
About the Leland Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,319 | $18.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,535 | $21.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,998 | $23.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57,009 | $27.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $66,549 | $32.00 |
Median Salary Position
12.34% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Leland
In Leland, NC, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,230 (2026 est.). At $48,998, the local median is 12.34% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Leland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Leland Welder Pay Compares
Leland median: $48,998/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Leland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $52,743 | -7.10% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -12.34% less |
Welders in Leland, NC earn a median of $48,998 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.34% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 7.10% below the North Carolina state average of $52,743.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Leland 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.
Leland, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $48,998 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,348 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,247
2025 BLS Actual
$47,118
2026 Current Est.
$48,998
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Leland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,247 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,738 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,210 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,674 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,901 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,720 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,118 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,998 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,953 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Leland metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $37,247 (2019) to $47,118 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,953 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,706 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Leland 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) | $39,319 – $44,535 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,535 – $48,998 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,998 – $57,009 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $57,009 – $66,549 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Leland
Currently, Leland hosts a limited pool of welders, with only six individuals employed in this skilled occupation. The city’s cost of living index of 93.6 indicates a relatively lower cost environment compared to national averages, potentially benefiting purchasing power for locals. In this market, the highest-paying opportunities might reside within structural steel fabrication, oil and gas pipeline welding, and specialized sectors like aerospace and nuclear power. The spread in welding pay can largely be attributed to factors such as certification levels, the nature of work (traveling versus local), and the type of welding specialty. To maximize earning potential in Leland, obtaining advanced certifications like 6G pipe or those recognized under ASME standards becomes essential, along with seeking positions that involve higher-stakes work such as underwater or nuclear welding. Venturing into traveling positions may also significantly boost income, enabled by strong demand and the additional benefits of per-diem compensation.
More salary data for Leland, 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 $47,118 for weldersin the Leland 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 Leland 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