Welder Salary in Bastrop, TX: $48,249 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Bastrop, TX earns a median $48,249/year (≈ $23.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Bastrop's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $50,259 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Welder salaries in Bastrop, Texas, reflect a diverse economic landscape, particularly when compared to the national average. With a projected median annual salary of $48,249 for 2026, local welders find themselves earning less than their counterparts nationwide, where the median is $55,895. The local salary range spans from $36,924 at the 10th percentile to $65,206 at the 90th percentile, indicating a significant variation based on skill level and type of work. Importantly, estimates derived from BLS state-level data have adjusted for regional price parities, providing a clearer picture of what local welders can expect. For those engaged primarily in traveling pipe work, the compensation structure, which includes per-diem benefits and tax advantages, may outweigh local shop pay, making the job market dynamic for skilled welders in Bastrop.
About the Bastrop Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,924 | $17.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,550 | $20.45 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,249 | $23.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54,913 | $26.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65,206 | $31.35 |
Median Salary Position
13.68% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bastrop
In Bastrop, TX, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,282 (2026 est.). At $48,249, the local median is 13.68% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bastrop: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bastrop Welder Pay Compares
Bastrop median: $48,249/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bastrop Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $50,523 | -4.50% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -13.68% less |
Welders in Bastrop, TX earn a median of $48,249 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.68% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 4.50% below the Texas state average of $50,523.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bastrop 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.
Bastrop, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $48,249 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $50,259 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,678
2025 BLS Actual
$46,398
2026 Current Est.
$48,249
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Bastrop (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,678 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,146 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,580 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,037 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,246 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,511 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,398 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,249 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,174 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bastrop metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $36,678 (2019) to $46,398 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,174 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,496 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bastrop 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) | $36,924 – $42,550 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,550 – $48,249 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,249 – $54,913 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $54,913 – $65,206 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Bastrop
In Bastrop, the job market for welders is relatively limited, with only six welders currently employed in the area. The cost-of-living index stands at 96, which means that living expenses are below the national average, offering welders a better purchasing power despite lower salaries. Among the potential employers, structural steel fabrication shops and oil and gas pipeline companies tend to pay the highest wages, with traveling positions offering boosts for those who can manage the investment in a welding rig. The disparity in welder pay can be attributed to factors such as certification levels, welding specialties, and the nature of the work—traveling jobs often yielding a premium that local positions cannot match. To maximize earning potential in Bastrop, welders should consider obtaining advanced certifications, particularly in specialized processes like TIG or pipe welding, and explore opportunities in both local industry and traveling positions.
More salary data for Bastrop, 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 $46,398 for weldersin the Bastrop 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 Bastrop 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