Welder Hourly Pay in Memphis, TN: $24.30 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Memphis, TN runs $24.30 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,539 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Memphis's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.2, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.36 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,329 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Welder hourly pay in Memphis, TN, is projected to reach a median of $24.30 in 2026, which represents a notable difference from the national median of $26.87. This figure reflects the local demand for welders and the competitive nature of the industry. Welders working short shifts in environments such as fabrication shops, pipeline welding sites, or manufacturing plants can expect to earn between $19.31 and $32.63 per hour, depending on their experience and specialization. For part-time welders, working just three days a week can yield a significant income, especially if they choose to take on additional per-diem work in less stable job settings. The hourly rate for entry-level positions starts around $19.31, while skilled welders, particularly those with certifications like 6G, can command much higher rates, showcasing the potential for professional growth in this field.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.31 | $154.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.12 | $168.96 |
| Median (P50) | $24.30 | $194.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.74 | $229.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $32.63 | $261.06 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Memphis
Based on $24.30/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.30/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Memphis, TN can expect to earn approximately $50,549 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,163. With a cost-of-living index of 92.18 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Memphis.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Memphis
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $972.10 | $4,212 | $50,549 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $583.26 | $2,527 | $30,329 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $388.84 | $1,685 | $20,220 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Memphis) | $24.30 |
| 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 Memphis, TN earn a median of $50,539 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.58% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 0.60% above the Tennessee state average of $50,238.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.30/hr = $30,329/year (purchasing power: $32,903).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,549/year (purchasing power: $54,838).
CoL index: 92.179 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.43/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.37/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.30/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Memphis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.43/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.93/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.42/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.85/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.76/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.16/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.37/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.30/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.27/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Memphis grew 9.1% from $21.43/hr (2019) to $23.37/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.27/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 Memphis 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 Memphis
For welders considering part-time opportunities, the financial landscape can look quite appealing. Working a 24-hour week at the median rate of $24.30 can yield approximately $30,610 annually, a respectable income, although it pales in comparison to the full-time earnings potential for regular welders. Furthermore, the per diem welder pay in Memphis can significantly enhance earnings; traveling welders might receive day rates ranging from $80 to $175 along with hourly pay that can stretch from $40 to $70. During intensive refinery turnarounds, rates can reach $50-$80 an hour, with some contractors paying double-time on weekends. Additionally, self-employed rig welders may bill between $90 and $160 an hour, making ownership lucrative, albeit risky. In Memphis, the variation in hourly pay across job types—from structural fabrication to underwater welding—reflects the industry’s diverse needs and varying pay scales, where some welders might trade off higher hourly rates for the stability and benefits provided by larger contractors and unions. Negotiation skills are essential in this context, with welders encouraged to weigh their hours and benefits against overall compensation when discussing potential positions.
More salary data for Memphis, TN:
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 Memphis. 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