Welder Hourly Pay in Dalton, GA: $23.60 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Dalton, GA runs $23.60 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,073 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Dalton's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.8, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.26 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,447 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Dalton, Georgia, the welder hourly pay is projected to reach $23.60 for 2026, which is notably lower than the national average of $26.87. This hourly rate suggests considerable earnings potential for part-time or per-diem welders focused on specific project-based work. Welders operating in fabrication shops, pipeline construction sites, and manufacturing production lines can expect hourly earnings that range from $17.81 at the entry-level to $29.45 for the most experienced welders. Such pay rates can make a significant difference, offering opportunities for welders to maximize hours while balancing other commitments or exploring lucrative per-diem work scenarios. With 120 welders currently employed in the area, the dynamics of the local job market can heavily influence individual earnings.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.81 | $142.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.82 | $158.56 |
| Median (P50) | $23.60 | $188.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.47 | $203.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.45 | $235.60 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Dalton
Based on $23.60/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.60/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Dalton, GA can expect to earn approximately $49,078 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,314. With a cost-of-living index of 89.84 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Dalton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Dalton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $943.81 | $4,090 | $49,078 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $566.29 | $2,454 | $29,447 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $377.53 | $1,636 | $19,631 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Dalton) | $23.60 |
| 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 Dalton, GA earn a median of $49,073 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.21% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 1.60% below the Georgia state average of $49,871.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.60/hr = $29,447/year (purchasing power: $32,776).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,078/year (purchasing power: $54,626).
CoL index: 89.844 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.97/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.69/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.60/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Dalton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.97/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.49/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.20/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.32/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.82/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.39/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.69/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.60/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.54/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Dalton grew 26.3% from $17.97/hr (2019) to $22.69/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.54/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 Dalton 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 Dalton
Analyzing part-time income, a welder who works three days a week, or 24 hours, could take home around $29,568 annually, less than half of what a full-time welder would earn at 40 hours per week. Those in per-diem positions—such as traveling pipeline welders—may also benefit from daily allowances, typically ranging from $80 to $175, combined with base pay of $40 to $70 per hour. Refineries during shutdowns frequently see welders earning between $50 and $80 hourly, with double-time offered on weekends for intensive tasks. Different welding sectors present variable hourly rates, with sectors like nuclear power maintenance or underwater welding potentially providing the highest returns. Ultimately, welders in Dalton may need to weigh the benefits of job stability and health insurance against higher hourly rates found in contract work. Negotiation for wage enhancements can hinge on one’s certifications, including AWS and NQA-1 credentials, making it critical for welders to present their skills effectively in discussions with potential employers.
More salary data for Dalton, GA:
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 Dalton. 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