Welder Salary in Galveston, TX: $50,675 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Galveston, TX earns a median $50,675/year (≈ $24.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Galveston's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $52,786 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Galveston, the welder salary averages $50,675 in 2026, reflecting ongoing demand for skilled labor in this coastal city. The salary range for welding positions spans from $36,175 at the 10th percentile to $72,443 for the top earners, indicating a diverse market driven by various industry practices. Local economic conditions, as derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for the regional cost of living, play a significant role in shaping these figures. Among the welding disciplines, pipe welders typically see higher pay due to the rigorous 6G certifications and specialized skill sets required for working on pipelines. This dynamic not only highlights individual certification value but also the competitive advantage that experienced welders hold within Galveston's job market.
About the Galveston Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,175 | $17.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,158 | $20.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,675 | $24.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59,354 | $28.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72,443 | $34.83 |
Median Salary Position
9.34% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Galveston
In Galveston, TX, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,268 (2026 est.). At $50,675, the local median is 9.34% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Galveston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Galveston Welder Pay Compares
Galveston median: $50,675/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Galveston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $50,524 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $55,895 | -9.34% less |
Welders in Galveston, TX earn a median of $50,675 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.34% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 0.30% above the Texas state average of $50,524.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Galveston 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.
Galveston, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $50,675 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,786 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,522
2025 BLS Actual
$48,731
2026 Current Est.
$50,675
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Galveston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,522 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,064 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,620 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,101 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,370 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,001 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,731 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,675 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,697 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Galveston metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $38,522 (2019) to $48,731 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,697 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,175 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Galveston 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) | $36,175 – $43,158 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,158 – $50,675 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,675 – $59,354 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $59,354 – $72,443 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Galveston
A snapshot of the local employment scene shows just 10 welders currently operating in Galveston, leading to fierce competition among employers, particularly in sectors like oil and gas pipeline welding and shipbuilding. The cost of living index for Galveston is 96, which provides some cushion for local salaries, but still reflects the reality that take-home purchasing power may be significantly affected by fluctuating wages. Employers in this area, particularly those focused on structural steel fabrication and petrochemical turnarounds, offer different pay scales, elucidating the spread between lower and higher compensation based on specialization and skills. Additional earnings can be drawn from traveling positions that often include hazardous pay scales and per-diem compensation—providing hefty additions to baseline income. For welders in Galveston, focusing on acquiring advanced certifications and considering entrepreneurial ventures, such as mobile welding, can significantly enhance income prospects in a market characterized by both high demand and varied salary ranges.
More salary data for Galveston, 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 $48,731 for weldersin the Galveston 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 Galveston 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