Welder Salary in Cleburne, TX: $50,220 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Cleburne, TX earns a median $50,220/year (≈ $24.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Cleburne's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $52,313 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cleburne, Texas, the projected welder salary for 2026 averages around $50,220, indicating a competitive pay structure when juxtaposed against the national median of $55,895. Salary ranges for welders in this area reflect a diverse market, from $37,919 at the 10th percentile to $70,736 at the 90th percentile, based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and regional cost of living adjustments. Traveling pipe welders, particularly those who are 6G-certified, often find themselves in high-demand, with per-diem pay structures that can elevate earnings significantly beyond local shop pay. This dynamic not only shapes the landscape for welders in Cleburne but also highlights the types of opportunities available in specialized areas such as oil and gas, which tend to offer the highest compensation.
About the Cleburne Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,919 | $18.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,135 | $21.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,220 | $24.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58,601 | $28.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $70,736 | $34.00 |
Median Salary Position
10.15% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cleburne
In Cleburne, TX, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,817 (2026 est.). At $50,220, the local median is 10.15% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cleburne: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cleburne Welder Pay Compares
Cleburne median: $50,220/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cleburne Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $50,523 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -10.15% less |
Welders in Cleburne, TX earn a median of $50,220 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.15% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 0.60% below the Texas state average of $50,523.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cleburne 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.
Cleburne, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $50,220 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,313 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,176
2025 BLS Actual
$48,293
2026 Current Est.
$50,220
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Cleburne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,176 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,704 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,237 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,713 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,971 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,534 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,293 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,220 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,224 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cleburne metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $38,176 (2019) to $48,293 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,224 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,048 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cleburne 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) | $37,919 – $44,135 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,135 – $50,220 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,220 – $58,601 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $58,601 – $70,736 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Cleburne
Despite the projected earnings being lower than the national average, Cleburne has a manageable cost-of-living index of 96, allowing welders to stretch their salary further. With only seven welders currently employed in the area, local employers primarily draw from industries like structural steel, oil and gas pipeline welding, and manufacturing sectors. The disparity between low and high salaries often hinges on certifications, specialty skills, and the nature of the work—traveling welders can earn significantly on top of their base pay, thanks to per-diem benefits and demand fluctuations in the oil patch. Those looking to maximize their income in Cleburne should consider obtaining advanced certifications such as ASME IX or pursuing work in niche markets, as this can substantially boost earning potential and adaptability within a competitive market.
More salary data for Cleburne, TX:
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 $48,293 for weldersin the Cleburne 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 Cleburne 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