Welder Salary in Durant, OK: $46,520 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Durant, OK earns a median $46,520/year (≈ $22.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Durant's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.9), that paycheck buys what $52,328 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.4% below the Oklahoma state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a welder in Durant, Oklahoma, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $46,520, which is significantly lower than the national median of $55,895. This local salary reflects the unique economics of welders in the area, particularly those who choose to work as traveling pipe welders, who often earn substantially more due to per-diem structures that can add an additional 30-50% to their pay. The overall salary range for welders in Durant spans from $37,970 at the 10th percentile to $63,778 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the diverse earning potential depending on experience and specialization. Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments showcase how the market in Durant accommodates both shop welders and those seeking more lucrative traveling positions.
About the Durant Market
Salary estimated from Oklahoma average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,970 | $18.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,747 | $20.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,520 | $22.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51,927 | $24.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63,778 | $30.67 |
Median Salary Position
16.77% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Durant
In Durant, OK, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,808 (2026 est.). At $46,520, the local median is 16.77% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Durant: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Durant Welder Pay Compares
Durant median: $46,520/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Durant Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma Average | $49,701 | -6.40% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -16.77% less |
Welders in Durant, OK earn a median of $46,520 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.77% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 6.40% below the Oklahoma state average of $49,701.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Durant has a cost of living 11.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Durant, OK has a cost-of-living index of 88.9 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $46,520 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,328 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.48% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,364
2025 BLS Actual
$44,735
2026 Current Est.
$46,520
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Durant (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,364 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,778 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,125 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,567 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,732 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,614 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,735 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,520 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,376 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Durant metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $35,364 (2019) to $44,735 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,376 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,012 (36.79%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Durant 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) | $37,970 – $42,747 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,747 – $46,520 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,520 – $51,927 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $51,927 – $63,778 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Durant
The local job market for welders in Durant is fairly limited, with only five welders currently employed in the area. The cost of living index stands at 88.9, which indicates that while the welder salary in Durant may be below the national average, the lower cost of living can help mitigate some of this disparity in purchasing power. Employers that tend to offer the highest wages include those in structural steel fabrication and oil and gas pipeline welding, especially for those with 6G certification or in specialized fields like nuclear power and aerospace. The gap in local pay reflects various factors: the level of certification, the type of work performed, and the cyclical nature of the oil and gas industry. Welders looking to maximize their earnings in Durant should consider focusing on certifications that are in high demand, exploring opportunities in traveling positions, and enhancing their skill sets to stay competitive in this evolving market.
More salary data for Durant, OK:
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 $44,735 for weldersin the Durant 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 Durant 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