Welder Hourly Pay in Leland, NC: $23.55 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Leland, NC runs $23.55 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,998 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Leland's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.16 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,395 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Leland, North Carolina, welders can expect a median hourly rate of $23.55, which is notably less than the national median of $26.87. This differing landscape indicates that welders in the area may find varied opportunities based on employment type and work settings. Many professionals in this field are employed in fabrication shop production lines, pipeline trench welding stations, and other specific areas such as shipyards and nuclear plant maintenance. For part-time welders working three days a week, the earnings can be quite distinct, illustrating a trade-off between hours worked and income generated. The hourly rate ranges from $18.91 for entry-level positions to $32.00 for the top earners, providing a clear gradient of income potential within this skilled trade specific to Leland's market.
About the Leland Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.91 | $151.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.41 | $171.29 |
| Median (P50) | $23.55 | $188.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.41 | $219.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $32.00 | $255.98 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Leland
Based on $23.55/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.55/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Leland, NC can expect to earn approximately $48,992 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,264. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Leland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Leland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $942.15 | $4,083 | $48,992 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $565.29 | $2,450 | $29,395 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $376.86 | $1,633 | $19,597 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Leland) | $23.55 |
| 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 Leland, NC earn a median of $48,998 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.34% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 7.10% below the North Carolina state average of $52,743.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.55/hr = $29,395/year (purchasing power: $31,405).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,992/year (purchasing power: $52,342).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.91/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.65/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.55/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Leland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.91/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.62/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.81/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.03/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.62/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.06/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.65/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.55/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.49/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Leland grew 26.5% from $17.91/hr (2019) to $22.65/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.49/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 Leland 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 Leland
For welders considering part-time roles, consistently working three days per week totals approximately 24 hours, translating to an annual income that significantly trails behind full-time counterparts. The advantages of per-diem and agency work present additional financial prospects; many traveling pipe welders earn $40-$70 per hour on average and may receive daily bonuses ranging from $80 to $175. This creates an attractive earning potential that varies across employer types. For example, refinery turnaround welders sometimes make between $50-$80 per hour, with extra pay during weekends. The choice of work can greatly affect earnings; while some may prefer higher hourly rates without benefits, others may find lower hourly wages more appealing due to health insurance offerings. Welders in Leland can strategically negotiate their rates by emphasizing experience and specialization, especially those with certifications like ASME Section IX or 6G qualifications that stand in high demand.
More salary data for Leland, NC:
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 Leland. 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 Leland 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