Welder Salary in Morristown, TN: $48,948 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Morristown, TN earns a median $48,948/year (≈ $23.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Morristown's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 86.4), that paycheck buys what $56,676 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% below the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, welders in Morristown, TN, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $48,948, which is notably lower than the national median of $55,895, reflecting a difference of 12.43%. The salary range for welders in this region varies considerably, with entry-level positions starting around $38,882 and experienced professionals reaching up to $72,731 annually. This data is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and highlights the reality of the local market, where skilled tradespeople can consider the ownership path of rig welding. While initial equipment investments can run between $80,000 to $150,000 for a welding truck, the potential for higher hourly rates can tip the financial scales in favor of those who are willing to take on the risks and responsibilities of self-employment.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,882 | $18.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,762 | $20.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,948 | $23.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,633 | $30.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72,731 | $34.97 |
Median Salary Position
12.43% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Morristown
In Morristown, TN, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,849 (2026 est.). At $48,948, the local median is 12.43% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Morristown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Morristown Welder Pay Compares
Morristown median: $48,948/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Morristown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $50,255 | -2.60% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -12.43% less |
Welders in Morristown, TN earn a median of $48,948 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.43% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 2.60% below the Tennessee state average of $50,255.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Morristown has a cost of living 13.64% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Morristown, TN has a cost-of-living index of 86.364 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $48,948 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $56,676 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.79% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,220
2025 BLS Actual
$47,070
2026 Current Est.
$48,948
2019–2027 Growth
+44.5%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Morristown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,220 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,840 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,530 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,420 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,670 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,070 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,070 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,948 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,901 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Morristown metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 33.6% from $35,220 (2019) to $47,070 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,901 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,681 (44.52%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Morristown 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) | $38,882 – $41,762 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,762 – $48,948 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,948 – $62,633 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,633 – $72,731 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Morristown
The local job market for welders is robust, with around 180 professionals actively employed in Morristown. The area's cost-of-living index stands at 86.364, meaning that wage earners may find their purchasing power relatively comfortable in comparison to higher-cost regions. Among the employers that often pay the best in Morristown are structural steel fabrication shops and oil and gas pipeline welding operations, which may offer higher salaries due to the demanding conditions and technical expertise required. Pay disparities often hinge on factors such as certification level, with certifications like the 6G pipe and ASME IX commanding premiums. Specialty areas—such as underwater welding or nuclear plant maintenance—further explore peaks in earnings. For welders aiming to maximize their pay in Morristown, pursuing additional certifications and considering traveling work can significantly enhance their income, especially when factoring in per-diem benefits during projects away from home.
More salary data for Morristown, 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 $47,070 for weldersin the Morristown 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