Welder Hourly Pay in Sherwood, AR: $23.04 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Sherwood, AR runs $23.04 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,931 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Sherwood's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.9, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.52 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,759 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Sherwood, Arkansas, welders can expect to earn a median hourly pay of $23.04, which is significantly lower than the national median of $26.87. This local rate means that part-time welders working three days a week can take home a considerable amount, especially when considering the flexibility available in settings such as fabrication shops, pipeline welding locations, or even mobile rig setups. Entry-level positions in the field start at approximately $16.54 per hour, while more experienced welders can command up to $32.91 per hour. This range illustrates the diversity of opportunities available, particularly where specialized skills like TIG welding and 6G pipe certifications can enhance earning potential.
About the Sherwood Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.54 | $132.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.50 | $163.97 |
| Median (P50) | $23.04 | $184.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.11 | $216.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $32.91 | $263.30 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sherwood
Based on $23.04/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.04/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sherwood, AR can expect to earn approximately $47,932 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,653. With a cost-of-living index of 86.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Sherwood.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sherwood
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $921.77 | $3,994 | $47,932 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $553.06 | $2,397 | $28,759 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $368.71 | $1,598 | $19,173 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Sherwood) | $23.04 |
| 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 Sherwood, AR earn a median of $47,931 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.25% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 2.80% below the Arkansas state average of $49,312.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.04/hr = $28,759/year (purchasing power: $33,095).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,932/year (purchasing power: $55,158).
CoL index: 86.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.52/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.16/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.04/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Sherwood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.52/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.22/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.38/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.60/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.18/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.86/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.16/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.04/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.96/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Sherwood grew 26.5% from $17.52/hr (2019) to $22.16/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.96/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 Sherwood 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 Sherwood
Examining the potential earning power reveals an intriguing contrast between full-time and part-time work. A welder working part-time three days a week for 24 hours would bring home roughly $29,568 annually, while full-time welders might reach a salary of $47,931. Per diem work is another avenue where welders in Sherwood can increase their earnings, as traveling pipe welders might earn between $40-$70 per hour, plus per diem rates ranging from $80-$175 a day. In high-demand scenarios like refinery turnarounds, welders can see rates rise to $50-$80 per hour, with possibilities for double-time on weekends. Consequently, the variability of hourly rates also depends on the work environment, such as steel fabrication versus oil and gas lines. Welders often weigh the trade-offs between higher hourly wages without benefits and lower rates that include health insurance. When negotiating, it’s advisable for workers in Sherwood to emphasize certifications and specialized skills, as these can significantly strengthen their bargaining position.
More salary data for Sherwood, AR:
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
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 Sherwood. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Sherwood 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