Entry-Level Welder Salary in Hurst, TX: $35,262 (2026)
Quick Answer:New welders entering the Hurst, TX job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $35,262 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 51-4121, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Hurst's local price level (BEA RPP 96.0 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $36,731 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($49,095) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Starting out in welding in Hurst, TX, can present new graduates with various salary expectations. For 2026, the projected entry-level welder salary is set at $35,262, which signifies a gap compared to the median salary of $49,095 for all welders in the region. This means that early-career welders will need to navigate a path of skill development to reach the median pay, with a potential growth trajectory leading up to $44,765 at the 25th percentile within a few years. The expanding market in Hurst, combined with a consistent growth rate of 3.99% annually in this occupational field, signals that new graduates stand a good chance to find employment opportunities that can help elevate their initial pay over time.
About the Hurst Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Hurst
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hurst
Entry-level welders in Hurst, TX typically start between $35,262 and $44,765 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $31,855 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $49,095 — 12.17% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average welding program cost in Texas of $12,000 represents just 34.03% of the starting welder pay ($35,262/year) in Hurst. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on AWS-aligned welding certificate and associate programs at community colleges and technical schools. Costs vary significantly based on program length (6 months vs 2 years) and specialty certifications (structural, pipe, underwater).
WLD Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Hurst
- 1Research the Hurst market: entry-level welder pay ranges from $35,262 to $44,765, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the welding field — employers in TX often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Hurst, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Hurst for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Hurst's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Welder Compensation Range
The welder wage spread in Hurst is $31,855 ( 90.34%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $35,262, experienced hygienists can earn up to $67,117.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$25,466
2025 BLS Actual
$33,909
2026 Current Est.
$35,262
2019–2027 Growth
+44.0%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Hurst (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25,466 | Actual |
| 2020 | $26,477 | Actual |
| 2021 | $27,091 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,573 | Actual |
| 2023 | $31,826 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,099 | Actual |
| 2025 | $33,909 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35,262 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36,669 | Projected |
Entry-level welder compensation (10th percentile) in Hurst, TX grew 33.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $25,466 in 2019 to $33,909 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $36,669. New graduates entering the Hurst job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hurst 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.
Starting Your welding Career in Hurst
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In Hurst, various employers actively seek newly minted welders, often hiring graduates from trade schools or those with apprenticeship backgrounds. Entry-level positions typically can be found at production welding shops or as helpers and fitters in structural and pipeline environments. Non-union pipeline contractors tend to recruit certified welders for larger projects, while apprenticeships through unions like the UA or Boilermakers offer well-structured long-term training and benefits. Credentials play a significant role in improving new grad welder pay in Texas—acquiring AWS welding certifications across different processes and positions, obtaining NCCER credentials, or specializing in areas like nuclear welding (NQA-1) can substantially increase earning potential. Additionally, the first few years in the profession can lead to positions in high-demand sectors like pipe welding, where welders holding a 6G certification can command superior salaries, especially for traveling roles, which typically pay between $40-$70 per hour plus per diem. With a significant shortage of qualified welders predicted by AWS for 2027, the prospects for salary growth remain promising as the industry continues to evolve.
More salary data for Hurst, 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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new welding graduates. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Hurst. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Hurst 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