Welder Salary in Winston-Salem, NC: $54,684 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Winston-Salem, NC earns a median $54,684/year (≈ $26.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Winston-Salem's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $58,423 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.6% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a welder in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $54,684, a figure that slightly trails the national median of $55,895. The salary range for welders in this area varies from $36,644 at the lower end to $81,420 for those at the higher end of the pay scale. This data is derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS state-level information and regional price adjustments. For welding professionals considering their financial future, it’s essential to recognize the potential earnings associated with specialized skills, particularly in rig welding or mobile welding. These paths often necessitate substantial equipment investments but can yield higher hourly rates, ultimately reflecting the responsiveness of the local job market to specialized welder skills.
About the Winston-Salem Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,644 | $17.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,999 | $21.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,684 | $26.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,115 | $31.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,420 | $39.14 |
Median Salary Position
2.17% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Winston-Salem
In Winston-Salem, NC, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,776 (2026 est.). At $54,684, the local median is 2.17% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Winston-Salem: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Winston-Salem Welder Pay Compares
Winston-Salem median: $54,684/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Winston-Salem Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $52,784 | +3.60% more |
| National Average | $55,895 | -2.17% less |
Welders in Winston-Salem, NC earn a median of $54,684 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.17% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 3.60% above the North Carolina state average of $52,784.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Winston-Salem 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.
Winston-Salem, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $54,684 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $58,423 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
$41,570
2025 BLS Actual
$52,586
2026 Current Est.
$54,684
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Winston-Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,570 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,233 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,992 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,510 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,880 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,563 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,586 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,684 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,866 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Winston-Salem metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $41,570 (2019) to $52,586 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,866 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,296 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Winston-Salem 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) | $36,644 – $44,999 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,999 – $54,684 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,684 – $65,115 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,115 – $81,420 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Winston-Salem
As of 2026, there are 59 welders employed in Winston-Salem, providing insights into a relatively focused local job market. The cost of living index, sitting at 93.6, suggests that while salaries may be lower compared to national averages, the purchasing power remains favorable for welders in the region. Employers that typically pay higher rates include structural steel fabrication shops and companies involved in oil and gas pipeline welding, particularly where workers are involved in traveling jobs that offer per-diem allowances. The disparity in pay levels often reflects various factors, including certification levels, specialty niches such as underwater or nuclear welding, and the economics of rig welder ownership, which requires significant upfront investment. For welders looking to maximize their income in Winston-Salem, pursuing certifications like the 6G pipe and seeking opportunities with high-demand sectors like aerospace could be vital strategies.
More salary data for Winston-Salem, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do welders make in Winston-Salem, NC in 2026?
Is Winston-Salem, NC a good place to work as a welder?
Can welders make $100K in Winston-Salem?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted welder salary in Winston-Salem?
How much does a welder make per hour in Winston-Salem?
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 $52,586 for weldersin the Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem 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