Welder Hourly Pay in Flagstaff, AZ: $27.23 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Flagstaff, AZ runs $27.23 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,633 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Flagstaff's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.3, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $27.15 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,989 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Welders in Flagstaff, Arizona, can anticipate a median hourly pay of $27.23, which surpasses the national median hourly rate of $26.87. This competitive wage is beneficial for both full-time and part-time positions, allowing those working three days a week to earn a solid income in various sectors, such as fabrication shops and pipeline welding. Entry-level welders can expect to start around $20.38 per hour, while more experienced welders can earn as much as $50.23 per hour. Such financial prospects highlight the growth in demand for welders in Flagstaff, with projected employment growth expected to be approximately 3.99% annually over the next five years, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.38 | $163.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.76 | $190.09 |
| Median (P50) | $27.23 | $217.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.62 | $276.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.23 | $401.82 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Flagstaff
Based on $27.23/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.23/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Flagstaff, AZ can expect to earn approximately $56,649 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,682. With a cost-of-living index of 100.33 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Flagstaff.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Flagstaff
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,089.40 | $4,721 | $56,649 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $653.64 | $2,832 | $33,989 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $435.76 | $1,888 | $22,660 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Flagstaff) | $27.23 |
| Machinist (National Avg) | $25.72 |
| Sheet Metal Worker (National Avg) | $28.93 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic (National Avg) | $29.53 |
| Boilermaker (National Avg) | $35.08 |
Welders in Flagstaff, AZ earn a median of $56,633 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.32% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 6.20% above the Arizona state average of $53,327.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.23/hr = $33,989/year (purchasing power: $33,879).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,649/year (purchasing power: $56,465).
CoL index: 100.325 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$18.22/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.19/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.23/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+55.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Flagstaff (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.22/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.54/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.81/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.54/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.48/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.11/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.19/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.23/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.32/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Flagstaff grew 43.7% from $18.22/hr (2019) to $26.19/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.32/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem welders can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Flagstaff 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.
Working as an Hourly Welder in Flagstaff
For those considering part-time work, earning potential can vary significantly based on hours worked and job type. For a welder working 24 hours a week, the annual income would roughly translate to a substantial amount, yet still fall short of full-time earnings. Welders engaged in per-diem or agency work often find lucrative pay opportunities, with traveling pipe welders typically earning $40-$70 per hour, plus a per diem ranging from $80 to $175 daily. The earnings can escalate significantly for welders involved in refinery turnarounds or underwater welding, where rates can exceed $1,000 daily during peak seasons. Additionally, factors such as employer type—ranging from structural steel fabrication to aerospace—can affect hourly pay in Flagstaff, AZ. While some welders may accept lower wages for benefits like health insurance, others might prioritize higher pay without such perks. In this competitive market, it's vital for welders to negotiate effectively by leveraging their certifications and skills, particularly as the industry faces a critical shortage projected by the AWS.
More salary data for Flagstaff, AZ:
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for welders in Flagstaff. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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