Welder Salary in Arlington, TX: $52,605 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Arlington, TX earns a median $52,605/year (≈ $25.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Arlington's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $54,797 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Arlington, TX, the welder salary landscape offers competitive compensation with a projected median annual income of $52,605 for 2026, slightly behind the national average of $55,895. Welders can expect salaries ranging from $35,681 at the lower end (P10) to $78,917 at the top (P90), reflecting the diverse skill sets and experiences within the field. The data, derived from 2025 BLS estimates and adjusted for the regional cost of living, highlights the demand for distinct welding specialties in the area. Pipe welders, particularly those with advanced certifications like the 6G pipe certification, often dominate this market in terms of pay, indicating a preference for skilled professionals capable of tackling complex projects.
About the Arlington Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,681 | $17.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,618 | $20.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,605 | $25.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,987 | $30.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,917 | $37.95 |
Median Salary Position
5.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Arlington
In Arlington, TX, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,236 (2026 est.). At $52,605, the local median is 5.89% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Arlington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Arlington Welder Pay Compares
Arlington median: $52,605/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Arlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $50,534 | +4.10% more |
| National Average | $55,895 | -5.89% less |
Welders in Arlington, TX earn a median of $52,605 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.89% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 4.10% above the Texas state average of $50,534.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Arlington has a cost of living 4.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Arlington, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $52,605 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $54,797 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,990
2025 BLS Actual
$50,587
2026 Current Est.
$52,605
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Arlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,990 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,590 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,244 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,742 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,060 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,332 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,587 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,605 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,704 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arlington metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $39,990 (2019) to $50,587 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,704 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,714 (36.79%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arlington 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) | $35,681 – $43,618 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,618 – $52,605 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,605 – $62,987 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,987 – $78,917 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Arlington
Analyzing the job market in Arlington reveals a solid workforce of 83 welders contributing to various industries. The cost-of-living index stands at 96, which suggests that while salaries may be slightly lower than the national average, the purchasing power remains favorable for welding professionals. Employers in sectors such as oil and gas pipe welding and manufacturing tend to offer some of the highest rates in the region. The variance in pay can largely be attributed to the level of certification, specialty areas, and whether the work involves traveling, which can elevate earnings significantly. Those wishing to maximize their welder pay in Arlington should focus on attaining top certifications like AWS and NQA-1, as well as being open to travel for lucrative per-diem opportunities, all of which can enhance overall compensation in this vibrant market.
More salary data for Arlington, TX:
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 $50,587 for weldersin the Arlington 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 Arlington 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