Welder Salary in Nacogdoches, TX: $47,947 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Nacogdoches, TX earns a median $47,947/year (≈ $23.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Nacogdoches's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $49,945 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Nacogdoches, TX, the projected welder salary in 2026 stands at $47,947 per year, revealing a significant gap when compared to the national median salary of $55,895. Local estimates indicate a salary range from $36,488 (the bottom 10%) to $66,202 (the top 90%). These figures were derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price differences. While local shop pay can seem modest, traveling pipe welders, especially those with high-level certifications such as 6G and ASME IX, often earn substantially more due to per-diem allowances and advantageous tax structures. Given the growing demand and the limited number of welders employed in the area, those with advanced skills are well-positioned to thrive in the Nacogdoches job market.
About the Nacogdoches Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,488 | $17.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,283 | $19.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,947 | $23.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55,138 | $26.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $66,202 | $31.83 |
Median Salary Position
14.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Nacogdoches
In Nacogdoches, TX, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,714 (2026 est.). At $47,947, the local median is 14.22% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Nacogdoches: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Nacogdoches Welder Pay Compares
Nacogdoches median: $47,947/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Nacogdoches Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $50,523 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -14.22% less |
Welders in Nacogdoches, TX earn a median of $47,947 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.22% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 5.10% below the Texas state average of $50,523.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Nacogdoches 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.
Nacogdoches, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $47,947 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $49,945 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,448
2025 BLS Actual
$46,107
2026 Current Est.
$47,947
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Nacogdoches (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,448 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,906 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,325 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,780 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,981 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,201 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,107 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,947 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,860 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nacogdoches metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $36,448 (2019) to $46,107 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,860 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,412 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nacogdoches 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) | $36,488 – $41,283 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,283 – $47,947 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,947 – $55,138 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $55,138 – $66,202 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Nacogdoches
Currently, there are only seven welders employed in the Nacogdoches area, which paints a picture of a niche market, albeit one that is influenced by broader economic factors such as the cost of living index, measured at 96, suggesting affordability for residents. In terms of pay, structural steel fabrication shops and oil and gas pipeline welding often pay the most. The variation in earnings is largely affected by skill level, with underwater and nuclear welding specialists commanding the highest premiums. Moreover, rig ownership can lead to additional earnings through enhanced job flexibility but requires significant investment. For welders seeking to maximize their pay in Nacogdoches, pursuing certifications like the 6G pipe and seeking roles in high-demand sectors such as oil and gas could prove advantageous, especially as the aging workforce creates a continued need for skilled tradespeople.
More salary data for Nacogdoches, 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 $46,107 for weldersin the Nacogdoches 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 Nacogdoches 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