Welder Salary in College Station, TX: $54,907 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in College Station, TX earns a median $54,907/year (≈ $26.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in College Station's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.0), that paycheck buys what $60,370 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.7% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, welders in College Station, Texas, can expect a median annual salary of $54,907, representing a slight decline of 1.77% compared to the national median of $55,895. The salary range is quite broad, with entry-level positions starting around $40,743 at the P10 level, while more experienced welders can earn up to $80,259 (P90). This data, sourced from 2025 BLS OEWS projections, reflects the economic dynamics of the region, where local shop pay contrasts with the attractive per-diem and tax-advantaged compensation structures often offered to traveling pipe welders. These differences shape the overall job market for welders in College Station, where demand remains high due to the aging workforce and increased need for skilled talent across various industries.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,743 | $19.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,182 | $22.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,907 | $26.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,249 | $32.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,259 | $38.59 |
Median Salary Position
1.77% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in College Station
In College Station, TX, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,516 (2026 est.). At $54,907, the local median is 1.77% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in College Station: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How College Station Welder Pay Compares
College Station median: $54,907/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | College Station Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $50,512 | +8.70% more |
| National Average | $55,895 | -1.77% less |
Welders in College Station, TX earn a median of $54,907 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.77% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 8.70% above the Texas state average of $50,512.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
College Station has a cost of living 9.05% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
College Station, TX has a cost-of-living index of 90.951 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $54,907 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,370 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.95% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$44,400
2025 BLS Actual
$52,800
2026 Current Est.
$54,907
2019–2027 Growth
+28.6%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in College Station (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,400 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,450 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,550 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,250 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,010 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,070 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,800 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,907 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,097 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the College Station metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 18.9% from $44,400 (2019) to $52,800 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,097 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,697 (28.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the College Station 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) | $40,743 – $46,182 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,182 – $54,907 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,907 – $68,249 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,249 – $80,259 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in College Station
College Station's welding job market supports around 330 employed welders, illustrating a stable local economy. The cost-of-living index is notably below the national average at 90.951, which enhances the purchasing power of welders in the area. Employers in high-demand sectors such as oil and gas pipeline welding, structural steel fabrication, and petrochemical maintenance tend to offer the most competitive wages. The variations in welder pay stem from multiple factors, including certification levels—where the 6G pipe and ASME IX qualifications are particularly lucrative compared to structural D1.1—or the specialty areas such as underwater and nuclear welding, which command substantial premiums. Additionally, traveling welders often see a significant boost in pay due to per-diem compensation, which can elevate earnings by 30-50%. For those seeking to maximize their income in College Station, obtaining specialized certifications and exploring opportunities in high-demand sectors would be prudent strategies.
More salary data for College Station, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do welders make in College Station, TX in 2026?
Is College Station, TX a good place to work as a welder?
Can welders make $100K in College Station?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted welder salary in College Station?
How much does a welder make per hour in College Station?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Texas
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 $52,800 for weldersin the College Station 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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