Welder Salary in Matthews, NC: $52,158 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Matthews, NC earns a median $52,158/year (≈ $25.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Matthews's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $55,724 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $52,158 for 2026, welding professionals in Matthews, North Carolina experience a competitive pay scale compared to national figures. The estimated salary range for welders in the area spans from $38,722 at the 10th percentile to $71,200 at the 90th percentile, suggesting that skilled operators, particularly those with specialized certifications such as the 6G pipe and ASME Section IX, can enhance their earnings significantly. These local estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price variances, which paints a realistic picture of potential earnings for those pursuing a career in welding. As Matthews continues to grow, the demand for qualified welders will likely maintain stability in the job market.
About the Matthews Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,722 | $18.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,474 | $21.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,158 | $25.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59,365 | $28.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $71,200 | $34.23 |
Median Salary Position
6.69% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Matthews
In Matthews, NC, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,478 (2026 est.). At $52,158, the local median is 6.69% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Matthews: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Matthews Welder Pay Compares
Matthews median: $52,158/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Matthews Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $52,738 | -1.10% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -6.69% less |
Welders in Matthews, NC earn a median of $52,158 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.69% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 1.10% below the North Carolina state average of $52,738.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Matthews 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.
Matthews, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $52,158 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $55,724 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$39,650
2025 BLS Actual
$50,157
2026 Current Est.
$52,158
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Matthews (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,650 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,236 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,868 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,362 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,669 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,412 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,157 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,158 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,239 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Matthews metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $39,650 (2019) to $50,157 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,239 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,589 (36.79%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Matthews 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) | $38,722 – $45,474 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,474 – $52,158 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,158 – $59,365 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $59,365 – $71,200 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Matthews
Matthews is home to approximately eight welders currently employed, indicating a specialized but niche job market for this profession. The local cost-of-living index of 93.6 suggests that while salaries may be slightly below the national median, prevailing expenses are relatively lower, allowing for better purchasing power. Employers who pay the highest wages in Matthews include structural steel fabrication firms and those engaged in the petrochemical sector, particularly during turnaround crews. The variation in welder pay can largely be attributed to factors such as certification levels, specialty skills, and the economic cycles of traveling versus local work. For welders aiming to maximize their earnings in Matthews, pursuing advanced certifications and considering rig ownership can lead to substantial financial advantages, especially in lucrative fields like underwater welding or pipeline work, where experienced professionals often command hourly rates exceeding typical local salaries.
More salary data for Matthews, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do welders make in Matthews, NC in 2026?
Is Matthews, NC a good place to work as a welder?
Can welders make $100K in Matthews?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted welder salary in Matthews?
How much does a welder make per hour in Matthews?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Carolina
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 $50,157 for weldersin the Matthews 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 Matthews 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