Welder Salary in Pinehurst, NC: $48,906 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Pinehurst, NC earns a median $48,906/year (≈ $23.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Pinehurst's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $52,250 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.3% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Pinehurst, NC, the welder salary landscape reveals a median annual compensation of $48,906, notably lower than the national median of $55,895. The local salary range spans from $38,879 at the lower tenth percentile to $66,256 at the ninetieth percentile. While this forecast suggests regional challenges, it also highlights a distinctive hierarchy within welding specialties. Pipe welders, particularly those with advanced 6G certifications, typically command higher pay compared to structural and production welders, making them central to the employment dynamics in the area. Local figures are derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost of living considerations, further emphasizing the competitive nature of wages in Pinehurst.
About the Pinehurst Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,879 | $18.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,340 | $21.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,906 | $23.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55,760 | $26.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $66,256 | $31.85 |
Median Salary Position
12.5% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pinehurst
In Pinehurst, NC, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,377 (2026 est.). At $48,906, the local median is 12.5% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pinehurst: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pinehurst Welder Pay Compares
Pinehurst median: $48,906/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pinehurst Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $52,758 | -7.30% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -12.50% less |
Welders in Pinehurst, NC earn a median of $48,906 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.50% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 7.30% below the North Carolina state average of $52,758.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pinehurst 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.
Pinehurst, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $48,906 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,250 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,178
2025 BLS Actual
$47,030
2026 Current Est.
$48,906
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Pinehurst (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,178 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,665 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,133 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,596 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,821 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,990 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,030 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,906 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,858 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pinehurst metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $37,178 (2019) to $47,030 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,858 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,680 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pinehurst 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) | $38,879 – $44,340 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,340 – $48,906 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,906 – $55,760 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $55,760 – $66,256 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Pinehurst
The welder job market in Pinehurst features a small but stable workforce, with only four welders currently employed in the area. Given that the cost-of-living index stands at 93.6, welders are afforded greater purchasing power compared to many regions. Employers in Pinehurst that tend to offer competitive pay include those involved in structural steel fabrication and oil and gas pipeline welding. Variability in salary can often be traced to certification levels, with 6G pipe certifications and specialty areas like underwater welding demanding premiums. For welders looking to enhance their earning potential, pursuing advanced certifications or exploring traveling positions can lead to substantial income, often supplemented by per-diem allowances. Given the overall market and projected growth rate of 3.99%, tapping into specialized skills and aligning with demand could substantially benefit those seeking to maximize welder pay in Pinehurst, NC.
More salary data for Pinehurst, 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 $47,030 for weldersin the Pinehurst 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 Pinehurst 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