Welder Salary in Chattanooga, TN: $51,184 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Chattanooga, TN earns a median $51,184/year (≈ $24.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Chattanooga's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $55,961 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Welder pay in Chattanooga, TN, is projected to reach a median annual salary of $51,184 in 2026, reflecting a competitive market for skilled trades. The salary range for this role spans from $38,996 at the lower end to $72,086 at the high end, illustrating the potential for significant variation based on experience and specialization. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, highlighting the economic dynamics of welding in this region. While local wages may seem appealing, many traveling pipe welders can access lucrative per-diem arrangements that enhance their overall earnings. Given the increasing demand for welders due to an aging workforce, Chattanooga’s job market offers a viable pathway for those seeking opportunities in welding.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,996 | $18.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,196 | $21.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,184 | $24.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,569 | $30.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72,086 | $34.66 |
Median Salary Position
8.43% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chattanooga
In Chattanooga, TN, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,090 (2026 est.). At $51,184, the local median is 8.43% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chattanooga: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chattanooga Welder Pay Compares
Chattanooga median: $51,184/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chattanooga Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $50,230 | +1.90% more |
| National Average | $55,895 | -8.43% less |
Welders in Chattanooga, TN earn a median of $51,184 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.43% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 1.90% above the Tennessee state average of $50,230.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chattanooga has a cost of living 8.54% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chattanooga, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.464 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $51,184 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $55,961 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.33% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,200
2025 BLS Actual
$49,220
2026 Current Est.
$51,184
2019–2027 Growth
+20.4%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Chattanooga (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,200 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,500 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,940 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,450 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,280 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,440 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,220 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,184 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,226 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chattanooga metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 11.4% from $44,200 (2019) to $49,220 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,226 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,026 (20.42%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chattanooga 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) | $38,996 – $44,196 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,196 – $51,184 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,184 – $63,569 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,569 – $72,086 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Chattanooga
With approximately 1,850 welders employed in the Chattanooga area, the local job market is riding the wave of a positive growth trajectory, forecasted at 3.99% annually over the next five years. The cost-of-living index in Chattanooga stands at 91.464, allowing welders to stretch their earnings further compared to higher-cost cities. Employers specializing in structural steel fabrication, oil and gas pipeline welding, and nuclear power plant maintenance often offer the highest salaries, driven by demand for certifications like the 6G pipe and ASME Section IX. The difference between low and high pay comes down to various factors including specialization and the impact of traveling versus local work arrangements, with rig welders sometimes experiencing additional revenue streams through equipment ownership. For welders in Chattanooga, maximizing potential earnings involves advancing skills through certifications and staying alert to burgeoning opportunities in both local and traveling positions.
More salary data for Chattanooga, TN:
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 $49,220 for weldersin the Chattanooga 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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