Welder Salary in Richardson, TX: $51,144 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Richardson, TX earns a median $51,144/year (≈ $24.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Richardson's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $53,275 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Welding positions in Richardson, Texas, yield a median annual salary of $51,144, representing a competitive option within the region compared to the national median of $55,895. The salary range for welders in 2026 spans from $34,972 at the 10th percentile to $73,440 at the 90th percentile, reflecting varying levels of specialization and experience. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price differences indicate that pipe welders, particularly those with advanced certifications such as 6G, tend to command higher salaries compared to their structural or production counterparts. The job market in Richardson showcases a diverse landscape, where the demand for specialized skills in welding aligns with industry offerings, fueling opportunities for qualified welders to thrive in a competitive environment.
About the Richardson Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,972 | $16.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,505 | $21.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,144 | $24.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59,865 | $28.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,440 | $35.30 |
Median Salary Position
8.5% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Richardson
In Richardson, TX, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,468 (2026 est.). At $51,144, the local median is 8.5% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Richardson: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Richardson Welder Pay Compares
Richardson median: $51,144/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Richardson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $50,538 | +1.20% more |
| National Average | $55,895 | -8.50% less |
Welders in Richardson, TX earn a median of $51,144 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.50% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 1.20% above the Texas state average of $50,538.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Richardson 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.
Richardson, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $51,144 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $53,275 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,879
2025 BLS Actual
$49,182
2026 Current Est.
$51,144
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Richardson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,879 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,434 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,015 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,500 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,781 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,482 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,182 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,144 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,185 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Richardson metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $38,879 (2019) to $49,182 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,185 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,306 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richardson 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) | $34,972 – $45,505 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,505 – $51,144 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,144 – $59,865 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $59,865 – $73,440 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Richardson
The local welding job market employs 24 welders, a figure that suggests a relatively tight community of professionals within Richardson’s economy. With a cost of living index of 96, welders in the area find their purchasing power bolstered, allowing for greater take-home pay compared to the national average. Employers across different sectors, such as those in pipeline welding or aerospace and defense, often pay the most. The significant salary spread—from entry-level to experienced welders—results from various factors, including certification levels and the nature of work. For maximum earnings, welders should consider advancing their credentials through AWS, NCCER, or ASME certifications, while also exploring traveling positions that often come with lucrative per-diem benefits. Ensuring they're equipped for specialized tasks, such as nuclear or underwater welding, can further enhance their prospects in this evolving market.
More salary data for Richardson, 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 $49,182 for weldersin the Richardson 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 Richardson 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