Welder Salary in Statesville, NC: $52,326 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Statesville, NC earns a median $52,326/year (≈ $25.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Statesville's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $55,904 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, welders in Statesville, North Carolina, can expect a median annual salary of $52,326, reflecting a competitive local market compared to the national median of $55,895. The salary range for welders in this area stretches from $39,351 at the 10th percentile to $73,613 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant variation based on experience, specialization, and job setting. Local estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional costs, highlight the economic dynamics faced by welders, particularly in comparing the traditional shop roles to traveling pipe welders. Professionals willing to work on projects across the country often benefit from per-diem allocations and tax-advantaged structures that considerably boost their overall compensation, making Statesville's welding market unique in its opportunities.
About the Statesville Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,351 | $18.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,828 | $22.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,326 | $25.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60,886 | $29.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,613 | $35.39 |
Median Salary Position
6.39% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Statesville
In Statesville, NC, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,262 (2026 est.). At $52,326, the local median is 6.39% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Statesville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Statesville Welder Pay Compares
Statesville median: $52,326/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Statesville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $52,748 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -6.39% less |
Welders in Statesville, NC earn a median of $52,326 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.39% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 0.80% below the North Carolina state average of $52,748.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Statesville 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.
Statesville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $52,326 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $55,904 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,777
2025 BLS Actual
$50,318
2026 Current Est.
$52,326
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Statesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,777 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,368 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,008 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,505 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,815 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,555 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,318 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,326 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,413 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Statesville metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $39,777 (2019) to $50,318 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,413 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,636 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Statesville 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) | $39,351 – $45,828 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,828 – $52,326 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,326 – $60,886 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $60,886 – $73,613 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Statesville
With only seven welders employed in the Statesville area, the local job market is relatively niche, featuring a cost-of-living index of 93.6 that impacts purchasing power positively compared to national averages. While there are various welding sectors within the region, such as structural steel fabrication and manufacturing, higher pay is typically found in oil and gas pipeline operations or specialized fields like aerospace and nuclear power. The disparity in welder pay often stems from factors like certification levels and the type of work, with qualifications such as the 6G pipe certification commanding higher wages. For those aiming to maximize their earnings, seeking traveling opportunities, pursuing advanced AWS and specialized certifications, or considering the benefits of union membership can lead to better financial outcomes in Statesville’s welding market.
More salary data for Statesville, 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 $50,318 for weldersin the Statesville 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 Statesville 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