Welder Salary in Baytown, TX: $50,264 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Baytown, TX earns a median $50,264/year (≈ $24.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Baytown's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $52,358 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Baytown, TX, the projected median annual welder salary is $50,264 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $55,895 for the same year. This compensation reflects the local market dynamics, including a salary range that varies from $35,269 at the lower end (P10) to $71,154 at the higher end (P90). The figures, based on 2025 BLS data adjusted for 2026, indicate that the disparity in pay may be driven by the specialization in welding types, with pipe welders often commanding higher wages than structural or production welders. Overall, the unique requirements of various welding jobs, particularly in an industrial hub like Baytown, create a diverse pay gradient that influences career choices in the area.
About the Baytown Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,269 | $16.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,309 | $20.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,264 | $24.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58,336 | $28.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $71,154 | $34.21 |
Median Salary Position
10.07% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Baytown
In Baytown, TX, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,885 (2026 est.). At $50,264, the local median is 10.07% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Baytown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Baytown Welder Pay Compares
Baytown median: $50,264/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Baytown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $50,516 | -0.50% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -10.07% less |
Welders in Baytown, TX earn a median of $50,264 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.07% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 0.50% below the Texas state average of $50,516.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Baytown 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.
Baytown, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $50,264 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,358 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,209
2025 BLS Actual
$48,335
2026 Current Est.
$50,264
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Baytown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,209 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,738 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,274 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,751 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,010 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,578 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,335 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,264 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,269 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Baytown metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $38,209 (2019) to $48,335 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,269 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,060 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Baytown 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) | $35,269 – $42,309 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,309 – $50,264 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,264 – $58,336 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $58,336 – $71,154 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Baytown
Despite having only 16 welders employed locally, the job market in Baytown reflects a growing demand for welding professionals, with a projected annual growth rate of 3.99% over the next five years. Living costs are slightly below the national average, with a cost-of-living index of 96, meaning welders can enjoy greater purchasing power from their salaries compared to many other regions. The highest-paying local opportunities tend to arise from employers in the oil and gas pipeline sector, petrochemical plants, and large structural steel fabrication shops. Factors such as certification levels, with 6G pipe certification and specialized skills, significantly affect earnings potential as does the distinction between local travel versus high-paying per-diem jobs. For welders seeking to maximize their earnings in Baytown, acquiring advanced certifications and gaining experience in high-demand sectors are essential strategies in this evolving labor market.
More salary data for Baytown, 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 $48,335 for weldersin the Baytown 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 Baytown 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