Welder Hourly Pay in Shreveport, LA: $31.80 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Shreveport, LA runs $31.80 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,148 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Shreveport's regional price level (BEA RPP 84.8, 15% below national), each hour of work buys what $37.52 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,687 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Welders in Shreveport, Louisiana, can expect an hourly pay of $31.80, placing them significantly above the national average of $26.87 per hour. This competitive hourly rate allows for a decent income for part-time welders, especially those working three days per week, or around 24 hours total. In typical settings such as fabrication shop production lines, pipeline welding stations, and shipyards, the hourly rate enables workers to gain financial stability while managing flexible schedules. For those entering the field, hourly rates range from $20.86 at the entry level to $39.55 for the top earners, illustrating the potential for wage growth as skills and certifications improve. These figures, reflecting official BLS data projections for 2026, reveal the strong demand for skilled welders in the local economy.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.86 | $166.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.29 | $202.32 |
| Median (P50) | $31.80 | $254.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.87 | $302.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.55 | $316.38 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Shreveport
Based on $31.80/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.80/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Shreveport, LA can expect to earn approximately $66,144 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,160. With a cost-of-living index of 84.77 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Shreveport.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Shreveport
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,272.01 | $5,512 | $66,144 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $763.20 | $3,307 | $39,687 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $508.80 | $2,205 | $26,458 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Shreveport) | $31.80 |
| 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 Shreveport, LA earn a median of $66,148 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.34% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 2.50% above the Louisiana state average of $64,535.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.80/hr = $39,687/year (purchasing power: $46,819).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,144/year (purchasing power: $78,032).
CoL index: 84.766 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.38/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.58/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.80/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+62.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Shreveport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.38/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.38/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.52/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.69/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.48/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.72/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.58/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.80/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.07/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Shreveport grew 50.0% from $20.38/hr (2019) to $30.58/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.07/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 Shreveport 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 Shreveport
For welders considering part-time opportunities, the take-home income of a 24-hour work week typically translates into an annual income that can vary widely based on the specific type of work. Generally, a part-time welder would earn around $39,398 yearly, whereas full-time welders potentially earn much more. Per-diem pay is another avenue worth exploring. Traveling pipe welders, for instance, often receive significant daily bonuses, ranging from $80 to $175 in addition to a base wage of $40 to $70 per hour. Special projects, such as refinery turnaround jobs, can command higher pay rates of $50 to $80 per hour, with overtime rates sometimes doubling on weekends. In Shreveport, self-employed rig welders may charge anywhere from $90 to $160 per hour, maximizing their revenue with on-demand services. It's crucial for welders in the area to understand the trade-off between hourly wages and benefits, as some positions may offer health insurance at the cost of a higher hourly wage. When negotiating, local welders should focus on their skills, certifications, and any specific project experiences they bring to the table, which can enhance their value in discussions regarding per diem welder pay in Shreveport.
More salary data for Shreveport, LA:
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 Shreveport. 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