Welder Hourly Pay in Muskogee, OK: $23.26 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Muskogee, OK runs $23.26 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,391 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Muskogee's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.9, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.17 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,032 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Muskogee, Oklahoma, welders can expect to earn a median hourly pay of $23.26 in 2026, which falls below the national median of $26.87. This difference can significantly impact the take-home income for welders working in various environments, including fabrication shops and construction sites. Part-time opportunities, often involving three-day workweeks, allow welders to earn a decent income while maintaining a flexible schedule; at this rate, a welder could bring home over $1,100 weekly. The projected hourly pay range in Muskogee varies widely, with entry-level positions starting around $16.79 and experienced welders potentially making up to $33.28. These estimates are derived from the broader annual salary data but focus squarely on hourly earnings, reflecting the realities of the job market in the area.
About the Muskogee Market
Salary estimated from Oklahoma average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.79 | $134.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.85 | $158.81 |
| Median (P50) | $23.26 | $186.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.47 | $219.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $33.28 | $266.21 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Muskogee
Based on $23.26/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.26/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Muskogee, OK can expect to earn approximately $48,386 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,915. With a cost-of-living index of 88.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Muskogee.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Muskogee
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $930.50 | $4,032 | $48,386 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $558.30 | $2,419 | $29,032 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $372.20 | $1,613 | $19,354 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Muskogee) | $23.26 |
| 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 Muskogee, OK earn a median of $48,391 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.43% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 2.60% below the Oklahoma state average of $49,682.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.26/hr = $29,032/year (purchasing power: $32,657).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,386/year (purchasing power: $54,428).
CoL index: 88.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.68/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.37/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.26/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Muskogee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.68/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.39/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.56/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.79/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.37/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.81/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.37/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.26/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.19/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Muskogee grew 26.5% from $17.68/hr (2019) to $22.37/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.19/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 Muskogee 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 Muskogee
In analyzing the earning potential for welders in Muskogee, part-time workers netting $23.26 per hour may take home approximately $38,225 annually if they work 24 hours a week, a significant gap compared to their full-time counterparts. Factors such as per-diem pay for traveling welders can dramatically shift earning opportunities; they often receive between $80 and $175 daily on top of their base hourly wage, making the per diem welder pay in Muskogee particularly lucrative for those in high-demand pipeline or refinery projects. Specialized welding positions—such as underwater or nuclear welders—can amplify earnings far beyond the median rate. Additionally, welders working in different sectors, such as structural steel fabrication or manufacturing, may see variations in hourly pay based on employer type. Health insurance and benefits can push some welders to accept lower hourly rates as opposed to seeking higher rates without coverage. Practical negotiation strategies are essential; welders should consider the total compensation package, including benefits, when evaluating job offers in this regional market.
More salary data for Muskogee, OK:
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 Muskogee. 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 Muskogee 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