Welder Salary in Forney, TX: $49,538 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Forney, TX earns a median $49,538/year (≈ $23.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Forney's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $51,602 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Forney, Texas, the economic landscape for welders presents a fascinating contrast between local shop pay and the lucrative opportunities available for traveling pipe welders. The projected median annual salary for welders sits at $49,538, a figure that is substantially lower than the national median of $55,895, reflecting a variance of 11.37% that may impact job seekers considering relocation for better pay. Wage estimates range from $36,320 at the P10 level to $68,592 at the P90 level, highlighting significant potential for those with advanced skills or certifications. These salary numbers, derived from BLS state-level data adjusted for regional cost variations, illustrate a job market with diverse earning possibilities depending on one's qualifications and work environment.
About the Forney Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,320 | $17.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,696 | $20.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,538 | $23.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56,972 | $27.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68,592 | $32.98 |
Median Salary Position
11.37% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Forney
In Forney, TX, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,272 (2026 est.). At $49,538, the local median is 11.37% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Forney: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Forney Welder Pay Compares
Forney median: $49,538/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Forney Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $50,497 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -11.37% less |
Welders in Forney, TX earn a median of $49,538 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.37% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 1.90% below the Texas state average of $50,497.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Forney 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.
Forney, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $49,538 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $51,602 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,658
2025 BLS Actual
$47,637
2026 Current Est.
$49,538
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Forney (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,658 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,164 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,664 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,133 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,374 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,834 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,637 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,538 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,514 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Forney metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $37,658 (2019) to $47,637 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,514 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,856 (36.79%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Forney 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) | $36,320 – $42,696 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,696 – $49,538 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,538 – $56,972 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $56,972 – $68,592 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Forney
With just six welders currently employed in the Forney area, the local job market is lightly populated yet indicates a need for skilled labor. The cost of living index in Forney, sitting at 96, suggests that overall living expenses are somewhat lower than the national average, which can enhance take-home purchasing power. High-paying employers in the region typically include structural steel fabrication shops and companies involved in oil and gas pipeline projects, where traveling welders can command additional per-diem compensation. Factors contributing to the pay scale disparity include the level of certification—where 6G pipe welders often earn premium wages—alongside the nature of the work, such as high-demand niches like underwater welding or nuclear maintenance. Maximizing welder pay in Forney requires focusing on skills development, pursuing advanced certifications, and potentially looking at traveling positions that offer substantial financial benefits.
More salary data for Forney, 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 $47,637 for weldersin the Forney 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 Forney 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