Welder Salary in Murfreesboro, TN: $50,523 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Murfreesboro, TN earns a median $50,523/year (≈ $24.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Murfreesboro's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $55,036 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% above the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Murfreesboro, TN, the welder salary landscape reflects a diverse range of specialties, with pipe welders leading the pay scale due to their advanced skills and certifications. The projected median salary for welders in this area stands at $50,523 for 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $55,895. The salary range for welders in Murfreesboro varies significantly, from $36,919 at the 10th percentile to $73,883 at the 90th percentile. Estimates derived from BLS state-level data indicate that while this local salary may not match the national benchmark, it is influenced by factors such as cost of living and the prevalent types of welding jobs available in the area, indicating a competitive yet varied market.
About the Murfreesboro Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,919 | $17.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,747 | $21.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,523 | $24.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60,891 | $29.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,883 | $35.52 |
Median Salary Position
9.61% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Murfreesboro
In Murfreesboro, TN, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,964 (2026 est.). At $50,523, the local median is 9.61% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Murfreesboro: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Murfreesboro Welder Pay Compares
Murfreesboro median: $50,523/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Murfreesboro Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $50,271 | +0.50% more |
| National Average | $55,895 | -9.61% less |
Welders in Murfreesboro, TN earn a median of $50,523 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.61% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 0.50% above the Tennessee state average of $50,271.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Murfreesboro 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.
Murfreesboro, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $50,523 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $55,036 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,406
2025 BLS Actual
$48,584
2026 Current Est.
$50,523
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Murfreesboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,406 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,943 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,492 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,971 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,236 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,716 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,584 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,523 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,538 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Murfreesboro metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $38,406 (2019) to $48,584 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,538 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,132 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Murfreesboro 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) | $36,919 – $43,747 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,747 – $50,523 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,523 – $60,891 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $60,891 – $73,883 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Murfreesboro
Looking deeper into the job market, there are currently 29 welders employed in Murfreesboro, creating a relatively tight labor pool for the industry. With a cost-of-living index of 91.8, welders can find their take-home pay has more purchasing power than in more expensive areas, helping offset the lower wages compared to national averages. High-paying employers in the region include structural steel fabrication shops and those involved in oil and gas pipeline work. Several factors drive the salary variation, such as certification levels—6G pipe and ASME IX certifications yield higher pay than basic structural skills. Furthermore, specialization in demanding areas like nuclear welding and traveling positions can significantly enhance earnings. Welders in Murfreesboro can maximize their potential income by obtaining advanced certifications, seeking positions that require specialized skills, and considering traveling or mobile welding opportunities where per-diem can increase overall earnings.
More salary data for Murfreesboro, 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 $48,584 for weldersin the Murfreesboro 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 Murfreesboro 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