Welder Salary in Cookeville, TN: $47,744 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Cookeville, TN earns a median $47,744/year (≈ $22.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Cookeville's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $52,009 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the welder salary in Cookeville, Tennessee is projected at $47,744 annually, which lags behind the national median of $55,895. Welding professionals in this region can expect to earn between $36,472 and $66,026, depending on various factors such as skill level and experience. This compensation landscape reflects local estimates based on BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments. The dynamics of traveling pipe welders, who often benefit from advantageous per-diem arrangements, contrast sharply with local shop pay. Understanding these intricacies is vital for welders considering their career paths in Cookeville, where the job market comprises a small workforce of just seven welders currently employed in the area.
About the Cookeville Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,472 | $17.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,234 | $20.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,744 | $22.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55,003 | $26.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $66,026 | $31.75 |
Median Salary Position
14.58% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cookeville
In Cookeville, TN, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,554 (2026 est.). At $47,744, the local median is 14.58% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cookeville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cookeville Welder Pay Compares
Cookeville median: $47,744/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cookeville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $50,257 | -5.00% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -14.58% less |
Welders in Cookeville, TN earn a median of $47,744 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.58% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 5.00% below the Tennessee state average of $50,257.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cookeville has a cost of living 8.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cookeville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $47,744 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,009 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,294
2025 BLS Actual
$45,912
2026 Current Est.
$47,744
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Cookeville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,294 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,746 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,155 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,608 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,803 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,868 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,912 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,744 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,649 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cookeville metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $36,294 (2019) to $45,912 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,649 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,355 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cookeville 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) | $36,472 – $42,234 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,234 – $47,744 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,744 – $55,003 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $55,003 – $66,026 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Cookeville
Amid the rising demand for welders across various sectors, the local job market in Cookeville provides a distinct picture, shaped by a lower cost of living indexed at 91.8. This figure indicates that welders' take-home purchasing power can be maximized in this environment, despite currently lower wages compared to national standards. Employment in high-paying industries like oil and gas pipeline welding or nuclear power plant maintenance tends to offer better compensation, particularly for those with advanced certifications such as the 6G pipe or NQA-1 clearance. Additionally, the fluctuating oil market can dramatically affect wages; local welders might find traveling jobs offer higher rates of pay, bolstered by per-diem incentives. For those looking to optimize earnings in Cookeville TN, pursuing specialized certifications and considering project-based or traveling work opportunities are practical strategies for increasing welder pay in this competitive market.
More salary data for Cookeville, TN:
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 $45,912 for weldersin the Cookeville 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 Cookeville 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